Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Chapter 1

Harry had been dropped off by Mr. Dursley before 8am. Mr. Dursley had long since insisted, on being called Mr. Dursley by Harry. He was not related, in any way, to a freak! There were no signs of familial intimacy or informality, in his relations to young Potter, ever! For this reason, and the many beatings given to Harry, to remind him; Harry had long since given up on having a family. His most painful beatings revolved around such requests when he was young…or showing signs of freakishness.

This morning, Mr. Dursley told Harry he had arranged to move his London meetings to Sept 1, so he didn’t waste the petrol. However, that meant he would drop Harry off at 8, so he could get to his first meeting on time.

Mr. Dursley pulled up to the station and curtly ordered, “Get out. We don’t expect to see you ever again. We tried to save you from your freakishness, but you are too much of a freak, for it to work. Go to that freak school, if you must. We are done with you! If you are smart, you will finish your GCSEs, get a job, and get out on your own, when you realize this magic stuff doesn’t put food on the table! Don’t think that freak Dumbledore, will get you back in our house. We are done with you!”

Harry, kept his eyes down, and just said “Yes Sir, thank you sir.” He was smart enough not to remind Mr. Dursley of all the times they had tried to get rid of Harry. Dumbledore always brought him back…and then the beatings resumed…those were very bad.

Harry quickly got out his trunk, and the owl cage holding Hedwig. Once he had them out, Mr. Dursley drove off without a backwards glance.

Harry dragged his school trunk to a cargo dolly and loaded it up, with Hedwig’s cage on top. Hedwig didn’t like being in the cage, but if the bobbies called Mr. Dursley about a ruckus at the station, it would mean another beating, and it would be bad.

Harry pushed the dolly along the platforms. He passed platforms 7…8…9…10. ’Wait-a-minute! Where was platform 9 ¾?’ he asked himself. Harry looked at the ticket again, sure it said 9 ¾. ’Well, I really am early, so I will wait here at this bench between platforms 9 and 10 to see what happens.’ he decided.

Harry went to the bench beside platform 9, and surreptitiously watched the space from here to platform 10. He was watching for anyone who could be going to Hogwarts, too.

Over the next hour, many had wandered by, but most had no youth his age, too many suitcases, or no children at all. Around 9:00, a couple walked up with a girl who looked to be on the cusp of womanhood, around 14-15…his age. Harry noted she had wild untamed brown hair, which rivalled his!

The father was pushing a cargo dolly with a school dorm trunk, similar to the one he was pushing. That may be the answer! He then watched as the girl looked around furtively, but honestly wasn’t paying that close attention. Afterall, she never noticed Harry was nearby, and watching her closely.

She walked up to an ordinary brick wall, about 5 meters away. She then pushed on the wall, as she walked along, until she found a place where her hand sunk in. “Here it is!” she exclaimed to her parents.

The man pushed on the same spot, and just felt solid wall. It felt like solid brick. “Astonishing!” he said.

Harry took a closer look at her. She was fair skinned, light complexioned, with the craziest nest of unruly brown hair, Harry had ever seen, outside the notably frizzy and kinky hair of African descent. Now that he thought about it, she had to be magical. That hair looked like she was playing with static electricity, and it practically crackled, depending on her emotion. She also had the most striking, and magnetic brown eyes, which lit up when she discovered the wall. Harry couldn’t help but also notice, she had a nice pair of breasts, a beautiful swell to her hips, and a well-formed arse for her age.

Harry then looked at her parents. They had to be professional, upper middle-class, by their dress and bearing. The girl was dressed the same, in a Sunday dress, which showed off the developing figure, Harry had already noted. In her hands, was a large book, as big as an encyclopedia. She held it, like it was her most prized possession.

Taking a chance, Harry got up, and walked over to them, pushing his own dolly. The girl saw him approaching, and looked at him with concern. Harry was wearing old clothes which were many sizes too large on him, broken glasses and trainers with tape holding them together. He was shorter than her by a few inches, and looked rail thin. In short, he looked sick and emaciated, and with those clothes…she would assume he was a vagabond, except he and the clothes were clean.

The girl stopped looking at him, and saw the school trunk he was pushing on the cart, and more importantly the owl in a cage. Seeing this, she visibly relaxed.

Once Harry was close, she quietly asked, in the most melodious voice Harry had ever heard, “Hogwarts?”

Harry with a big grin of relief, replied, “Hogwarts! Can I join you miss…”

Hermione then gasped, “Oh! Where are my manners.” She then shifted her book to her left hand while putting out her right for a shake like she was making a business deal. “Hermione Granger at your service!”

Harry still lost in her eyes and voice, replied bashfully, “Harry Potter, at your service!” While taking and shaking her hand.

At his name, Hermione’s eyes lit up again, “Harry Potter really? I have read ever so much, about you! Did you know at least three text books, talk about you, and what your parents did? They said you have been training for years already while living in a castle in Wales! The magic you must know!”

Harry looked ashamed, “I…I only found out I was a wizard a month ago on my birthday. I don’t live in a castle. I live with my relatives the Dursleys, wh-“

Mr. Granger interrupted, “Dursley? So, you’re THAT nephew? He has mentioned…you.” And he frowned looking at the boy more closely, in the obvious hand-me-down clothes, broken glasses, and ruined trainers. He looked sickly and small.

Harry went white at mention of Mr. Dursley. In a trembling voice, Harry asked “Please don’t mention to him you saw me, Sir! He will be…very angry. Please!” Harry all-but-begged.

With a kind voice, Mrs. Granger calmed the young lad, “My husband is entirely too busy to speak to Mr. Dursley today, and this meeting wasn’t important enough to mention on another day. He will not say anything.” She then gave a sharp look at her husband, who just stood there looking troubled.

Hermione getting a hector tone in her voice, “But the books said, th-“

Mrs. Granger sternly interrupted her with a warning in her voice, “Hermione! What have we told you about books being no more reliable than an MP on campaign? Critical thinking! Trust but verify! Are you really surprised the books mislead, or outright lied about things?”

Harry looked at her and realized she had a fantastic figure, a beautiful face, and couldn’t be Hermione’s mother. She looked like an older sister.

Hermione whined almost coming to tears, “But I was really hoping this world would be different! I was hoping books and professors were honest and the bullying would not occur! Am I going to be bullied here too?!” she all but wailed.

Harry found himself responding to her distress. What she said, made him furious. Harry growled with a violent intent, he had never allowed himself to express before, “Not if I have anything to say about it! You are my first friend, Hermione! I will thump anyone who thinks of bullying you!”

Mr. Granger snorted, to hear this scrawny kid threatening to thump someone. Then he looked in his eyes and saw something he hadn’t seen since the war. Pure conviction with a willingness to sacrifice himself to achieve his goal. This boy truly meant it!

Dan wasn’t an idiot, and caught the warning his wife sent to him. It was obvious the Dursleys were not being completely honest about Harry…and the evidence made the likelihood of child-abuse… He would send warning letters to his daughter if needed…and if that didn’t work, to the appropriate professors. He did have enough awareness of teenagers, to know that disapproving of this Harry could send his daughter right into his arms, so he did the opposite for now.

“Well, with your new-found champion, Princess, I think we can feel more comfortable about you leaving.” He then turned to Harry and with a half-joking smile, “Mr. Potter, you will protect my Princess, won’t you?”

Hermione groaned, “Daaaad!”

Harry’s eyes were suddenly striking. They visibly shone with a magnetic green radiance, as he responded with enthusiasm. “Yes SIR! You can count on me! SIR!”

Mr. Granger, noted the eyes and wondered how these wizards had stayed hidden so long. From his daughter’s hair almost catching fire today, and this boy’s eyes…He smiled at Harry’s enthusiasm and dropped his hand on his shoulder to give it a friendly shake.

Harry had never had an adult give him such a warm greeting. He decided he liked it.

Mr. Granger turned back to his daughter, “Give us a hug goodbye, Princess. Don’t forget to write!”

Hermione then launched herself into her father’s arms and they gave each other bone-crushing hugs. She then gave her mother a hug, and the parents shooed them through the wall.

Harry turned to Hermione and asked, “Ready?”

Hermione grinned at him and said, “Keep up!” as she pushed her dolly through the barrier.

Harry sheepishly looked at Hermione’s parents who grinned at him, motioning him to get along. Harry then pushed his dolly through the barrier too. Once on the other side he stopped next to Hermione, who was bent over, hurt or uncomfortable about something!

Suddenly, he felt something inside him snap! He groaned and almost fell, after stopping his dolly on the other side of the arch. It was like something had taken a heavy weight belt off of him.

Hermione was bent over in pain too. She looked up at Harry and gasped. Harry’s eyes, which were magnetic before, were now glowing with a bright green fire! She glanced up and realized her hair now had static running through it, making it stand on end in a complete mess!

Harry for his part, noticed Hermione’s eyes were magnetic, with a beautiful chocolate brown color, and her hair was literally everywhere. He reached out for a strand and a spark shot from it to his finger. ZAP! With a curl of smoke rising from the hair strand. Harry grinned and pulled his hand back.

Hermione saw that Harry looked to have felt something too. She asked, “What happened?”

Harry frowned, “I don’t know, it’s like something released in me. Something holding me down, has now let go.”

At that point someone else came through the arch and ran his dolly into the back of them, “Get out of the way.” The boy exclaimed, “Don’t block the arch!” After they moved out of the way, he shoved past them, and kept moving, all but ignoring them.

Harry held Hermione were standing out of the way, and started to look around, when a train whistle went off. They both gawked at the train, but then giggled at the old technology. This thing looked to be a turn of the century steam engine, though the fire-engine’s red paint job, looked nice! Harry looked at Hermione, “Is this what you expected?” glancing down at her book.

Hermione blushed and clutched her ‘Hogwarts: A History’ tome. “Sort of,” she replied, “I knew the Hogwarts Express was a train, but had no idea it was an antique steam engine! Fascinating!” The two pushed along past the engine and walked along the train, just looking at the like-new, antique. Once they were close to the back, Hermione said, “Well let’s get on, and find a cabin.”

Harry grinned at her, and the two of them worked together to get their trunks up and on the train. It was a struggle, but they managed it. Soon they dragged their trunks to the first cabin, which was empty. The two were able to get both trunks in the cabin, and up on one seat. Hermione said, “Let’s leave them down for now, so we can dress later. If we need to raise them up because someone else comes, they can help!”

Harry grinned, “Good idea. I didn’t feel comfortable trying to get those overhead, with just the two of us!”

Hermione grinned and nodded, sitting down on the opposite side. She looked at Harry, “Well come and sit down. The trunks take up the whole other side anyway.”

Harry went and sat down next to the beautiful girl.

Hermione opened the book and showed Harry the chapter on the Potters and the ‘boy-who-lived’. She then pointed out the references to him, stating he was living with a distant pair of cousins, who own a castle in Wales. It informed everyone Harry was happy, healthy and looking to rejoin the magical world at Hogwarts.

Hermione shook her head in dismay while a spark zapped in her hair sending a tendril of smoke into the air, “I just can’t believe this is a lie.” She then gasped at realizing she all but called Harry a liar. Hermione looked worriedly at Harry to see if he will drop her as a friend. It wouldn’t be the first time a book came between her, and a new friend.

Harry glanced at the smoke, and looked at her sadly. “Can you explain How I live with a cousin in Wales, yet your father knows about me as the ‘problem nephew’ of the Dursleys? Do YOU live in Wales, and from your parent’s comments, does it sound like the Dursley’s have a castle?”

Hermione blushed, as those points did refute the castle idea fairly strongly. She looked at Harry, saying “But still…”

Harry wanting to convince her, implored “If you stay calm, can I show you something?” while he waved some smoke away from her hair, which was still smoking.

Hermione saw the look at her hair and huffed. “I don’t know what is happening. My hair has always been a mess, but never this bad. All since we came through that arch!” She then glanced at Harry’s glowing eyes. “Have your eyes always glowed like that?”

Harry replied, “Like what? The Dursleys would have killed me if my eyes actually glowed.”

Hermione was going to chide him, but stopped. He wasn’t kidding…and something in his voice…

Anyway, Hermione went and opened her trunk, pulling a small mirror from it. She showed Harry his glowing eyes.

Harry looked at the green glowing eyes and gasped. “I have always had vibrant eyes…but they never glowed like this!” He then reached up and touched his hair, “My hair!” Harry exclaimed, “It has never been this bad!” He glanced at Hermione, “It’s as bad as yours!”

Hermione suddenly embarrassed, chided “Harry! That wasn’t nice!”

Harry mumbled “Sorry.” Harry then handed the mirror back to Hermione who looked in it for a second, and groaned at her hair before she just put it away.

Harry then said, “Anyway, I want to trust you. Can I show you something which will show you, how false those books really are? Please?” with an almost desperate tone to his voice.

Hermione looked confused, and a bit concerned, “What, Harry?”

Harry blushed furiously, “My back. I was regularly beaten and whipped by my wonderful relatives. They treat me as a slave. I have been working in the kitchen, gardens, and doing much of the cleaning since I was five. I was spanked, and when older, whipped, if I failed in the slightest way.”

Hermione looked at him sadly, “Where you beaten today? Is that why you want to show me your back? To prove it by showing the bruises?”

Harry blushed, “Worse. My back is scarred from the multiple whippings I receive. Nothing so ordinary as a belt was used on me, for many years.”

Hermione holding a hand over her face with tears in her eyes, “That can’t be true! It CAN’T!” she asserted.

Harry with a sigh, pulled off his loose shirt. He had already removed the ratty coat which really didn’t protect him from the weather. As he pulled off his shirt, Harry turned around with another blush. It was bad enough seeing how thin he was, almost emaciated, but his back. Sure enough, there were bruises on top of scars. The kind that spoke of regular and very serious beatings. The numerous scars were evidence of multiple whippings by something which cut the skin. And it was done enough to leave a lot of scars on top of other scars. Too many to count. Hermione couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “Is this all of it?”

Harry rapidly pulling his shirt back on in embarrassment, and glared at her, “Would you like me to drop my skivvies and show you my bum too? I am sure you have an idea how that looks, now!”

Hermione was mortified at the implication she had tried to make Harry strip bare for her…despite the sex education lectures her mother gave her, she had never had a boyfriend! She quickly shook her hands in front of her, “NO! Sorry Harry! I just can’t believe people would do something so cruel. How did you end up with them, if they so obviously don’t want you?”

Harry was putting on his shirt again when Hermione said, “Why don’t you change into your school uniform? You don’t want people to see you dressed like that, they would make conclusions and demand explanations.”

Harry nodded and he went over to his trunk. Harry flipped the top open before he distractedly stripped off, forgetting he was with a girl, and not his masters who brooked no delay.

Hermione squeaked as Harry unexpectedly dropped his threadbare slacks and pants, and was bare, in front of her. She yelled “Harry! You’re naked!” Hermione spun around, blushing furiously with his bare bottom burned into her mind. Hermione was mortified that her first male friend (not boy-friend!) was completely bare behind her.

Harry turned and blushed realizing he was bare in front of a girl, and worked to quickly dress. He muttered, “Sorry Hermione. The Dursleys expect me to work in the house bare. They said a freak doesn’t deserve clothes, and it allowed them to whip me without tearing my clothes or get blood on them.”

Hermione still looking away, asked, “They make you clean naked? How do you go to school, or even outside?”

Harry replied bitterly, “I get to wear clothes when going to school, or doing yard work.” He paused and said with pain, “It’s the reason I prefer garden work. I get to wear my clothes and, pretend I am a person and not a slave.”

She tried to distract herself and caught a reflection of his bottom in the shuttered window.

“Oh Harry!” She quietly sobbed, after getting a good look. His bottom and thighs were worse than his back. The pain tolerance he must have, to sit still on such a bruised and scarred bottom. Trying to distract herself and keep from catching more reflections, she desperately asked, “You were saying about your relatives?”

Harry replied, “I once snuck a glance at a letter. Evidently a Mister Dumbledore put me there, and said keeping me would keep the Dursley’s safe…it sure didn’t keep me safe!”

Hermione turned around in surprise, fortunately Harry was pulling on his slacks over his shorts. “Hermione!” Harry bellowed.

Hermione blushed again, "Sorry Harry!" and moved to turn back around but stopped herself, “Oh bother! You are already covering the important stuff, just keep getting dressed. Now what was that about Headmaster Dumbledore? You did know he is our Headmaster at Hogwarts?”

“Figures.” Harry grumbled. “He’s the one who placed me with the Dursleys. Over the years I have heard numerous arguments with and about him to get me gone, but he always said they have no choice. Every time he brought me back, they beat me very badly as soon as he left. The Dursleys resent my continued presence, and take it out on me…as you can now attest.”

Harry had now finished getting dressed, and was pulling on his over-robe. “Your turn.” And Harry stood there looking at her.

Hermione looked at Harry for a second, then blushed at the implication of him watching her. “Um…aren’t you going to leave while I change?”

Harry calmly looked back at her, “When you change your undergarments I will turn my back, but as I saw you peaking at my bottom, I think we have a debt between us now, yes?”

Hermione then blushed to her roots. “I’m not changing my undergarments!” she exclaimed, mortified at the idea of getting bare in front of a boy.

Harry then shrugged and calmly said, “Well then, what’s the problem? Bra and panties are like the bikini you would wear to the beach, right?”

Hermione whined, “But I didn’t mean to look at your bum.”

Harry with a hard smile replied, “I believe you…the first time, but what about the second…and the third?”

Hermione blushed again, realizing she was truly and wholly caught. She whined again and huffed, “You really aren’t letting this go, are you?”

Harry grinned, “The chance to look at the body of a beautiful girl like you? Someone who actually cares about me? It is a dream come true.” Harry’s face then clouded over, “Don’t you trust me? I wasn’t lying to your father. I will protect you from everything I can. I would not let anything happen to you. I would certainly not harm you myself!”

Hermione whined, “Fine!” and with a blush she looked at Harry. “Um…Harry? Could you unbutton my dress?” and she turned her back to Harry while looking at him over her shoulder.

Harry blushed and with trembling hands, undid the three buttons at the top of the dress and pulled the zipper down to her lower back. He then jumped back, on accidentally touching her knickers at the top of her bum.

Hermione quickly started pulling down her dress, but when she saw Harry intently watching her, she covered up her bra-covered breasts. “Could you stop staring at me while I undress? It is very uncomfortable.”

Harry with a smile turned around, and she continued to undress, but did notice his occasional glance in the reflection. Hermione grumbled, “boys!”, ignoring the fact she had done the same thing herself. She undressed as fast as she could.

When she was down to bra and panties, Hermione exclaimed, “One quick look, so move it, buster!”

Harry spun around and drank in the site of her. She was definitely transitioning to her womanly form as a young woman. Her bra was filled out to a nice B cup, with her young breasts riding high and the small bumps of nipples present, through her bra. There was a definite curve to her hips and her arse was nicely formed as he had noticed earlier. There was a dark shadow under her thin panties, indicating she had dark pubic hair, similar in color to her head. Harry blushed, thinking about seeing her bare, and exploring under that hair. He thought she was the most gorgeous thing he had ever seen.

“Beautiful, Mine.” Harry whispered with obvious wonder.

Hermione melted at having a boy call her beautiful, and so obviously mean it, though she did notice him thoroughly undress her with his eyes. It had never happened to her before, so she ignored it.

Honestly her father didn’t call her mother beautiful with that much conviction, and he loved her dearly. She then started to rapidly pull on her skirt, when she stopped after picking up her blouse. “Wait, did you call me mine?”

Harry gulped and said, “Did I?”

Hermione now holding her blouse and shaking it at Harry with some irritation, “Yes you did! Mine as in yours…mine?” and there was a loud SNAP! from her hair with another tendril of smoke.

Harry was watching Hermione’s flashing eyes, as she shook her blouse at him, in just her bra and knickers. After getting lost in her eyes a moment, he replied again, “Um…yes?”

Hermione stood there for a second, then blushed realizing her state of undress...and its obvious effect on Harry. She quickly pulled on her blouse not looking at him. Finally with the last button done up and the blouse tucked into her skirt, she looked back at Harry, and quietly said, “Well you are my friend too, and don’t you forget it!”

Hermione then started working on tying her tie. Harry watched for a minute, noticing Hermione knew what she was doing. “Mine?” he politely asked.

Hermione glanced back at Harry while working on her tie. She was expecting…well anything! She had stripped near bare for this boy! What was she thinking? “What Harry?” she asked with some exasperation.

Slightly embarrassed Harry beseeched, “Can you teach me to tie my tie? I never learned.”

“Oh Harry! Of course I can!” and Hermione spent the next half-hour teaching Harry how to tie a tie. By the end, he had a rough one, but good enough under the circumstances.

Once properly dressed, the two resumed their conversation. Harry had never had a friend before, and there was something about Hermione. He couldn’t help but trust her. Before long, he was telling her everything. All his fears, his dreams. How he hoped to have a family someday. Nothing like the Dursley’s however. They were disgusting. After a while Hermione got up to go.

Harry with some trepidation asked, “Where are you going, Mine?”

Hermione blushed, “To the loo.” She then gave him a look, “Is it OK with you, that I don’t want to share this just yet?”

Harry blushed to his roots too. “Ahhh…yes. If you don’t mind, can we wait until we are formally engaged before witnessing anything of that sort, in the bathroom?”

Hermione smiled, “So formal engagement? Is that your plan, Mr. Potter?”

Harry looked down and shyly back up at Hermione, “Would it anger you if I said yes?” he asked with obvious hope.

Hermione smiled even more, “No, it would honor me. I will say you would need my parent’s permission, and you aren’t likely to get it for a couple of years. Certainly not before my 17th birthday!”

Harry sighed, “Good! It will give us time to get to know each other, first! I’m not kidding, Mine. Not kidding at all.”

Hermione with a gentle smile, consoled him “I know Harry. It’s sweet. Be back in a bit. Certainly before the train leaves.” And she left.

Hermione returned from the bathroom and the two of them started reading Hogwarts: A History together, waiting for the train to finally leave the station.

Hermione was suddenly worried after reading the passages about the Potters in the latest Hogwarts: A History. According to Harry, little was true. “So many things look to be lies. I hope they were telling the truth about the GCSE classes. I could never forgive myself if I ended up a secondary school drop out! I intend to take my A-levels!”

Harry grimaced, “That would be nice. The Dursleys told me I am kicked out at the end of secondary school…this year. No sixth form possible, as I would need a job to pay for a flat.”

Hermione just looked at him. “We will work together to make sure we both get our GCSEs and A-levels! If necessary, I will ask my parents to take you as a lodger while at Hogwarts! I am sure they will consider it!”

Harry looked at her worriedly, “I couldn’t impose! They don’t even know me!”

Hermione shrugged her shoulders, and said “Well…maybe I can have you over for the winter hols so they can meet you!” She looked at Harry nervously, “Would you like to spend the holiday with my family, Harry?”

Harry’s eyes lit up with such joy, it took Hermione’s breath away, “I would like that, Mine! I would like that very much!”

Hermione blushed and looked away with a small smile. She then frowned to herself, ’What are you doing, girl? You don’t even know this boy and you are inviting him to your house for the holiday?’ she then looked up into his green glowing eyes, looking at her with such happiness. God, he was beautiful! ’Alright…wait a few months before making the attempt.’ she then looked back into his eyes and groaned to herself, ’Well…a few weeks!’ she promised herself.

Shortly thereafter, a red-haired boy their age came barging in. “Can I sit with you, everywhere else is full.”

Hermione frowned, “No it’s not! There are two empty cabins in this car alone! What are you on about?” and another SNAP! came from her hair with another tendril.

The boy blushed and his ears turned red, “How would you know? I just walked down the hall!” He then glanced at the smoke, “What wrong with your hair? Somebody prank it?”

Hermione glared at him, “No one pranked my hair!” and another SNAP! occurred.

Harry grabbed her hand, “Calm down Hermione! You don’t want to set your hair on fire.”

Hermione nodded with a smile at Harry’s concern. No boy had ever cared about her before. She then glanced at Ron with irritation, “Well, I was just out there minutes ago, and there is no way the car filled up that quickly. Should I go outside and look?” she challenged.

The boy tried to force the situation, “Butt out, beaver face! I want to talk to my new mate here!”

Harry didn’t say anything, not knowing what to say in this situation. This boy was acting like Dudley. He hated bullies. SNAP! and his hair sparked with a large tendril of smoke rising up, too.

Hermione squeezed his hand and glanced up at his hair with a knowing look and a smile, causing Harry to sigh and grin back. She could tell Harry did not like that insult at all. Finally, Harry turned to the boy and said, “If you wish to join us, you may.” He then pointed to their trunks, “Help us get them in the overhead bins.”

The three of them were able to get all three of their trunks overhead. Once done, Harry pointed to the empty bench across from the two of them, “Sit over there!” he commanded.

The boy didn’t say anything though his ears stayed red in embarrassment. Harry went back to discussing the different houses with Hermione as they were reading the pertinent synopsis in the book. Harry looked at Hermione, “What do you think about Slytherin? Wanting to make something of yourself seems like a worthy goal.”

The boy overhearing their conversation, yelled “All Slytherins are evil! The boy-who-lived can’t go there! That was He-who-shall-not-be-named’ house!”

Hermione went into her hectoring mode again, “All Slytherin’s are evil? What rubbish! Merlin was a Slytherin! So, you came into this cabin to become friends with the boy-who-lived? You are just another fanboy trying to become famous because of what he suffered! You make me sick! Are you even going to introduce yourself? Pathetic!” SNAP! and Harry patted her hair, as an ember had formed this time.

Ron blushed to his roots with his ears glowing now. “I’m Ron Weasley, and Harry and I are going to be best mates. My mother said so!”

Harry going cold, looked at him, “And why would your mother, make you be friends with me? How do you know I want to be friends with you?”

Ron looked confused by the possibility, and replied, “You have to be! We will be in Gryffindor like the rest of my family, and become the best of friends. We will help you fight the death-eaters in Slytherin!”

Harry looked at Hermione for clarification. Hermione with a huff, replied “The Death-Eaters was the name for Voldemort’s supporters. Since you supposedly killed him, everyone assumes you will take up the battle like a good soldier.”

Ron exploded, “Don’t say his name! And what do you mean supposedly? Dumbledore said he did, so he did!”

Hermione sneered at Ron, “Harry was 15 months old at the time. What did he do, hit him in the face with a full set of nappies? No! His mother must have done a ritual which trapped and defeated Voldemort. That is the only thing which makes sense…or someone else was there to do it. That works too.”

Hermione looked astutely at Ron. “Let me guess. Headmaster Dumbledore told your mother to have you befriend Harry like a good little Gryffindor. How…predictable.”

Harry looked at Hermione with open admiration, “You really are brilliant, you know that?” quickly changing the subject, Harry asked Hermione “What happened to believing everything you hear and read?”

Hermione blushed at his open admiration, then answered the question with a shy grin, “I am rapidly realizing what my parents were trying to tell me. People are people, be they wizard or mundane.” She sighed. “I had so hoped I could find utopia, but alas the last 4 treatise on the subject insisted such was impossible for the human condition. I didn’t want to believe, but now I think I do.”

Ron just looked confused, “What are you barking about, and what’s a mundane?”

Hermione just looked at him deciding Ron was neither honest, intelligent, nor worth her time. “You call them muggles, but that is an insulting term obviously implying they are inferior to wizards.” She looked at him with disgust, “I can assure you, my mundane parents are anything but inferior to you. As to the other? I’m sure I don’t know. Go ask someone else.”

Ron shrugged, “Whatever.” He turned to Harry, “Hey can I see your scar?”

SNAP! SNAP! Both their hair had tendrils of smoke and they both patted each other out, with some worry.

Harry looked angry and Hermione quietly growled out, “Show him your back. If you show everyone what Headmaster Dumbledore caused, maybe we can do something about those horrible books…and the Dursleys.”

Harry thought about what Hermione said, and with a look of conviction in his eyes, removed his robe. “Look all you want.” And he pulled up his shirt.

Ron yelled, “What is that?!” on seeing the bruises and scars all over Harry’s back.

Harry coldly replied, “Those are the scars the Dursleys have given me. Whipping me as their slave. Dumbledore keeps me in that house. So, someone who worships that child-abusing honorless bastard, is not my friend. GET OUT!” SNAP! and Hermione quickly pat Harry’s hair, to put out the small fire in it.

Ron flushed with anger, “Dumbledore would never do that! Go ahead, be a Slytherin! See if I care!” and he stormed off, muttering under his breath.

Shortly there was a knock at the door. A blond boy their age, who wore impeccable clothes opened it. He had two overt bodyguards at his back. Looking around the cabin he stated, “The word on the train is that Harry Potter is in here.”

Hermione was sitting next to Harry, holding his hand. She quietly whispered to Harry “He is obviously a noble. I have read on magical customs and usages. Don’t say anything until he introduces himself.” Harry sat there saying nothing.

After an appropriate time, the boy nodded, “I am Heir Draco Malfoy, Heir of Malfoy and Black. These are my fellows Crabb and Goyle.” He said looking over each shoulder. He then looked at Harry and said, “I can help you meet the right families and make the best connections. I would be willing to help with that.” And he held out his hand.

Hermione again whispered in his ear, “You must shake his hand as not doing so, is akin to a declaration of war. However, do not agree to anything. Take everything under advisement and promise to get back to him.”

Harry let go of Hermione’s hand, stood up, and clasped hands with Draco. “Pleased to meet you, Heir Malfoy. I am Harry Potter.”

He then turned to Hermione, “This is my best friend, and soon to be betrothed, Hermione Granger.” He then smiled slightly and continued, “Well, once I can convince her father I am worthy of her. I am honored by your offer of assistance. Please understand I mean you no disrespect, but must consider all my options before committing to an arrangement.”

Draco had noticed how Hermione was advising Harry on proper comportment. He pretended to ignore what she was doing, and nodded in agreement to Harry. Glancing at Hermione, Draco politely said, “Pleased to meet you, Miss Granger.” and he kissed her hand with a small bow.

Hermione quickly but gracefully rose when Draco turned her direction. She gave a passable curtsey as he bowed, kissing her hand. Draco smiled and turned back to Harry. He then asked, “How long have you known, Miss Granger?”

Harry sat back down and grabbed Hermione’s hand again, pulling her down next to him. He looked back to Draco. “We met, getting on the train. Why?”

Draco shook his head and said with a smirk “I never would have believed it, without seeing it myself. It seems the Potter Foible is not exaggerated.”

Harry looked confused and asked, “The Potter Foible?”

Draco glanced at Hermione again, before answering Harry “Have your advisor look into it if you lack the knowledge. It isn’t for me to say. We will talk again, soon. Good day to you, Heir Potter.” Draco said giving a slight bow to Harry.

He then turned to Hermione, “Miss Granger.” And he gave a slight polite bow to her as well, with a smile of amusement at their relationship. He then turned and left with his two guards.

Harry let out a big breath, “Boy! They play for keeps here!” He turned to Hermione, “I could not have done that without your help.” He clasped her hand more tightly, “Thank you, Mine. For everything.”

Hermione blushed at his earnest look, “Your welcome, Harry.” Her eyes then flashed in anger while another SNAP! was heard in her hair. “Hey! You said we were betrothed! How dare you!” as a small puff of smoke rose from her head.

Harry looked at her in confusion, “You agreed to it when we talked about a formal engagement. You said it would not be official until your father allowed it. Exactly as I told Draco.”

Hermione looked at Harry with an open mouth…and realized he was correct. She snapped her mouth closed and grumbled, “I think you ARE a Slytherin.”

Harry looking slightly hurt, “Aww! Don’t be that way, Mine! Now he won’t bother you as it would insult me, thereby dishonoring him since we are in negotiations to be allies. I said I would protect you, and I will. Don’t think I wasn’t paying attention to the things you are teaching me. I would think you should know ignorance, is not the same as stupidity.”

Hermione looked at Harry and nodded her acquiesce. She was gratified he wasn’t a dullard at all. Harry was actually very sharp, just extremely ignorant. An ignorance he appeared to be rapidly correcting. She thought to herself, ‘this might actually work…’ with a smile.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

There was a quick knock, and the door was yanked open. Harry and Hermione looked up to see an older student with the yellow of Hufflepuff and a prefect badge on his robe. He glanced in at the two obvious firsties, hunched over a large tome.

He grinned, “All right you two, we will soon be arriving. Put everything back in your trunks, which doesn’t fit in your pockets. Once you are sorted, your trunk will be found at the foot of your bed.” He nodded and quickly moved to the next compartment.

Harry looked at Hermione and said, “Put your book in your trunk. You will be able to get it later.”

Hermione nodded and put her second most important possession in her trunk. It used to be her first, but since meeting Harry, things had unexpectedly changed. He had risen to the top rather abruptly. Hermione blushed at the thought, and looked into Harry’s eyes, seeing the warmth there. It was obvious he had a similar priority shift.

“Firs years! Firs years, over here!” was heard off to a side. Over the top of the students, Harry could see the towering head of Hagrid and led Hermione that direction.

As they approached, Harry said, “That’s Hagrid. He came to my house to get me to shop for my wand and stuff.” His face turned down as he realized something. “I think that means he is involved in keeping me in that horrid place. In fact, he explained basically nothing, so he was either used to keep me ignorant, he was the only one willing to show complacency with my treatment, or he was the only one available.” Harry looked at Hermione, “I am leaning toward reason two…possibly one as well.”

Hermione thought for a second, and nodded that his reasoning was solid. They soon were joined by other first years in a group around Hagrid. “Folla me!” and he was off down a path toward the lake while the other students were walking to a line of horseless carriages. Harry made sure to hook Hermione’s arm, and support her down the treacherous path. Hermione grinned at the chivalrous gesture.

They were soon at a line of boats. Harry found an empty one and helped Hermione into it. Before he stepped in himself, he heard behind him, “Can we join you?”

Harry turned to see a pair of identical twin girls of obvious Indian descent. Harry smiled and said, “Yes, of course.” He then held out his hand to assist each of them into the boat.

The first one grinned and grabbed his hand. Harry got her into the boat and with a gentle push, made it very clear the middle seat across from Hermione was his.

The second twin grinned when he offered to help, and he ‘guided’ her away from the seat with Hermione too. She looked at her sister and giggled.

At this time Ron showed up and immediately seeing that three seats were already taken said, “Hey Harry, join me in another boat?”

Harry just glanced his direction and said succinctly, “No.” before immediately stepping in and sitting down next to Hermione. Everyone immediately saw Hermione reach across the seat and clasp Harry’s hand. Something he obviously agreed to, as he turned to her holding it tight while looking in her eyes. The two girls together said, “Aww.” And Ron with a ‘huff’ moved sulkily away.

As the boat started moving, Harry and Hermione shifted into the center of the boat together, touching all along their common territory. They never let go of their hands. The girl in the bow of the boat was watching them. She eventually said, “I’m Padma Patil, the girl behind you is my sister Parvati.”

Harry with a nod of his head to her then her sister replied, “I am Harry Potter, and this beautiful thing on my arm is my betrothed Hermione Granger, my closest and dearest friend.”

Hermione whined, “Harrrry. Stop that! You know we aren’t technically betrothed until you get my father’s permission. Something you haven’t got! Introduce me as your friend if you wish, girlfriend if you must, but I would appreciate it if you stopped introducing me as your betrothed. What would happen if a professor corresponds with my parents for clarification? It would make your suit much more onerous if my father perceived you taking liberties or spreading falsehood.”

The girl at the bow looked to her sister in the stern, and with a knowing smirk, exclaimed “Ravenclaw!”

Hermione still holding Harry’s hand, “What made you say that?”

Padma replied, “Hermione, may I call you Hermione?” Hermione nodded, “Well Hermione, I can attest that over half of the students on these boats would not have understood one word in two, from the statement that just left your mouth, and only Ravenclaw would not hold such bookworm tendencies against you. If you wish to enjoy your time at Hogwarts, you need to be a Ravenclaw.”

Harry looked at Hermione, squeezing her hand in reassurance, “Well I guess it is Ravenclaw then. Don’t worry, I will do what is necessary to join you in that house. Remember I only had to pretend stupidity to survive the abuse of my captors. Without a certain intelligence, I would have been beaten much worse.”

Parvati squeaked, “Beaten?” with wide and fearful eyes.

Hermione nodded with anger evident in hers, “Harry was placed with magic-hating mundanes. They treated him as a slave and he has the scars on his back to prove it. All those books are complete falsehoods. I wonder what else is also a lie.”

The two sisters just looked at each other and didn’t say a word. Soon all four were enjoying the fireworks over Hogwarts as the castle came into view around the bend in the lake. It was a beautiful castle, half-way between a defensible fortification, and a palace of medieval, but English understated opulence. It was truly beautiful.

Harry and Hermione had their heads together holding hands tightly. Padma asked, “How long have you two been together?”

Hermione blushed and glanced at Harry, “We met on the train. I can’t explain it, but my…magic is telling me Harry is everything I could ever want.” Hermione then worryingly looked at Harry.

Harry, gave her hand a gentle squeeze, “Me too, Mine. Me too. My…magic is telling me the same thing.” He then grinned, “It is rather insistent on it, screaming in my ear and smacking me about the head in case I had other ideas.” He looked in Hermione’s eyes, “Not that I would ever be that stupid. Hermione is everything I could ever want.”

Parvati said with wonder, “Wow! I never thought love at first site could be so real!”

Padma replied, “The Potter Foible is dependent on the magic levels of the participants. Judging from the glowing eyes and hair on these two, they are both Magus!” She giggled naughtily, “I’m kind of surprised they aren’t already shagging in the bottom of the boat!”

Hermione exclaimed “Padma!” and blushed furiously while a bright spark SNAP! occurred in her hair. Harry just reached up and put the resulting ember, out.

Padma just grinned wider, “Just saying. Though the two of you, are really cute.”

After reaching the shore, Harry helped the three girls out of the boat. it was then, a long walk up the longest and highest staircase Harry had ever traversed. He kept himself behind Hermione to protect her from falling…though he did occasionally watch that bottom climb the stairs remembering it wearing only knickers.

Hermione blushed under his gaze. She quietly said, with the intuition of any girl everywhere, who was instantly aware a boy was seriously checking her out, “Harry! Stop looking at my bum and pay attention to what you are doing! Keep it up and we will change positions. I may want to watch yours for a while.” She said it smiling, but the snickering from the twins meant the jest did land.

“Sorry Mine. I was just daydreaming…thinking about how beautiful you are.” Harry apologized.

Hermione frowned for a second, and Harry hurryingly continued, “While I WAS thinking some of those thoughts…you must know I would never do anything to hurt you. That includes forcing you…or tricking you into doing something you don’t want to do!”

“I understand Harry. Still…get in front of me and let me watch your cute bottom for a while. I don’t want you to fall and hurt everyone behind you.” Hermione stated with some exasperation.

Harry sheepishly grinned and moved in front of Hermione while Padma and Parvati snickered in the background. He did pay more attention to where he placed his feet, now that he was no longer watching Hermione’s bottom. While climbing the stairs, Harry had the distinct feeling of being watched. He knew Hermione was seriously checking him out now…the way he had checked her out.

Harry spun quickly and saw a twinkle in Hermione’s eyes with a smirk on her lips. She just shrugged at him, not trying to deny anything, and made a motion for him to turn back around and continue climbing. Harry turned back around to hear more snickering from the twins. He shook his head wondering if this was what it was like for all boyfriends around their girlfriends…and their friends. Harry grinned to himself, ’Worth it!’ he thought to himself with a grin.

Soon they were up at a landing beside a sally port. Hagrid pounded on the door three times creating a massive booming which could be heard on the other side of the lake. Honestly, it sounded like catapult rocks were hitting the walls!

The door opened and a stern woman was standing there in a strange mix of old English and Scottish dress. She had a family tartan pattern woven into her dress. With a severe expression on her face, she looked at Hagrid.

“The firs years, ma’am.” Hagrid replied to her look.

With that same stern visage to her, she nodded, and let Hagrid pass her by. She then stepped in the way stopping the students from following.

After spending a second, looking at all the students, she started talking “I am Assistant Headmistress of Hogwarts, Head of Gryffindor, and Master of Transfiguration, Minerva McGonagall. You will address me as Headmistress or Professor McGonagall if you do not wish to be punished.” She stopped for a second for the message to take, then she continued, “New prospective students of Hogwarts, you will soon present yourselves for your sorting. You will be sorted into your new family. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and…Slytherin. Your successes and failures will be shared with your new family. The house with the most points at the end of the year will earn the coveted Hogwarts House Cup. A great honor.” She paused here for effect before continuing, “Now I will take you into a waiting room and give you the chance to smarten yourselves up. Never a chance to make a new first impression. This way now. Step lively!”

After the students were led to a room, Minerva bade them, “Wait here.” And left.

As the students waited, Hermione quickly redid Harry’s tie for which he thanked her with a smile. He then moved hers slightly to center it better, and Hermione smiled at his efforts. Padma had quickly brushed out her own hair, noted Hermione and asked, “Do you have a brush for your hair Hermione? One that will deal with…that?” she said obviously glancing at Hermione’s hair, going every which way.

Hermione glanced at Padma’s brush with a frown, “I don’t know about, what you are describing.”

Parvati then replied, “Our mother is a High Sorceress. She also has her magic make an absolute mess of her hair. She has a special brush which if used daily with a special shampoo will quiet it and allow you to get it under control.”

Hermione then with a sob, wrapped the two in a hug, “Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have no idea what it has been like. I found nothing works!”

Padma then gently smiled, “It is no problem, and of course you didn’t. It takes magic to work magic. The mundane shampoos would do nothing for that hair, believe me. We once went on a trip and our mother forgot her shampoo. Wow! You never saw the like!” She then glanced up at the rat’s nest over Hermione and smiled again, “OK, you do have the idea, but there is a solution. I will write mother about getting a brush and how to get the shampoo for you, Hermione.”

Hermione then gave her another hug, before Harry pulled her in front of him. It was obvious her hair bothered Hermione, by the worried look in her eyes, when she saw Harry examining it.

Harry pulled Hermione closer, and he looked at her hair and her face. He then said with complete conviction, looking up in her eyes “Absolutely beautiful, Mine. Your hair is just your magic. It is wild, free, and untamed, like you. It is a warning to others to heed the power of your mind and spirit. You can never be anything other than you, and I would never ask you to.”

Hermione for her part saw Harry with his wild hair, also completely untamed by magic, and his eyes that glowed with a green fire, in the torch light. She wasn’t sure, but it was fairly obvious the magic of this place was playing havoc with them. Her hair actually crackled with static electricity! And Harry’s eyes…his eyes actually glowed green when he became emotional. She could feel the power roll off of him. She had no doubt he was a full Magus when she looked in those eyes, burning with a green fire. On hearing his words, she gave a soft cry and hugged him tightly, with some tears leaking from her eyes. “You are my best friend Harry, never doubt that.”

Harry with an attempt at a roguish smile replied, “Here’s looking at you kid.” In a bad imitation.

Hermione gave a watery smile and snorted. “Humphry Bogart in Casablanca? Seriously?”

Harry with a bashful smile, “Did it work?”

Hermione with another laugh, “No you great oaf, it didn’t! Thank you anyway.” And she hugged him again.

Padma looked at her sister and mouthed, “Potter Foible!” Her sister grinned and nodded enthusiastically.

Ron was in the back talking about wrestling a troll. Hermione rolled her eyes, “Idiot.” And Harry just smiled.

Soon they were brought into the great hall, with Hermione nattering away about all sorts of interesting facts. Harry was nodding along and quietly asking questions and looking for clarifications. Hermione was gratified to note, he never had to be told something twice. He really was intelligent, and actually listening to her!

The students were called up, one by one, and by the third student, Harry frowned and pulled Hermione back. He informed her “The sorting is alphabetical. That means you go first. Get Ravenclaw and I will follow you into it. Don’t worry, remember that paragraph in Hogwarts: A History. The student’s wishes are never ignored.” He then pulled her head to look in his eyes. “Don’t doubt me, Mine. I WILL follow you into Ravenclaw, I swear it!” and magic swirled around him indicating a true vow.

Hermione still wasn’t sure, but at his vow, she settled down. “OK Harry. I will go Ravenclaw. I will be saving you a seat. Don’t disappoint me!” and she strode up, when they called her name, for her turn.

There was a short hat stall as Hermione had a furious look on her face. Soon the hat yelled out “Ravenclaw!” and Hermione took off the hat, angrily tossing it on the stool. “You remember your promise!” she yelled at the hat and stormed over to Ravenclaw with her hair sparking in her ire. SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! and smoke was curling up from two embers burning slowly.

Ravenclaw was proud to gain a fiery high-sorceress, and this one was at the top of the curve. She may even be Magus! Flitwick, watching the young lady being sorted, brought memories back of another spirited high-sorceress from a time ago. Flitwick sighed; he missed Lily terribly. He hadn’t taken an apprentice since he lost her. It hurt too much.

Flitwick glanced at Hermione. Only a fool, couldn’t look at that hair and know the warning for what it was. Now that the magic bonding was released, which was placed on all high-sorcerer children and above, it was obvious just how much magic rolled under her skin. Until she had it under control, accidental magic could do anything when a student had that much power. Hermione sat down and shifted over a spot. In a no-nonsense tone, “That spot is for Harry. You’ll see!” she said with conviction.

An oriental girl from the next section scoffed, “A Potter in Ravenclaw. Never happen!”

Hermione with absolute conviction and her hair sparking in her anger replied, “You will see it today, and soon. Watch!” she exclaimed utterly convinced, as another loud SNAP! occurred, and a curl of smoke rose again from her hair.

Flitwick looked up at the shifting and what was said. He had a controllable listening charm over the table. He never let on, but he heard every word he wished to hear at that table. So, the Potter Foible strikes early, and this time the witch is ready, willing, and already committed? Oh my! He then grinned; this could get fun! Time to see what Potter looked like, without his magic dampened.

Soon Minerva called out “Harry Potter!”

Harry was just standing there. Suddenly his face turned implacable and his eyes lit up with a fiery green glow. A wave of magic rolled across the room as everyone gasped at the feel. Around the room could be heard, “Magus!” and “Next Merlin!”

It was obvious Harry had unbelievable power, and his hair sparked “SNAP!” every few seconds. Those green eyes were very distinctive, and glowed brightly with the power rolling off him in waves. Harry marched, nay stalked up to the stool, with the look of a cat hunting prey. His glowing green eyes locked on his target, the sorting hat.

At arriving, he yanked the hat out of Minerva’s hand before slamming in on his head, and sitting down. The hat let out a ‘squeak’. There was an obvious discussion and Harry magic started gathering even more, with smoke starting to waft up from under the hat.

Quickly the hat yelled, ”Ravenclaw! Ravenclaw! He's in RAVENCLAW!” the hat all but screeched.

Harry stood up and took off the hat before he gently placed it down on the stool. As Harry removed the hat, a large puff of smoke drifted from it. When the hat was placed down, everyone heard the hat sigh in relief!

With a wolf grin at Minerva, his eyes then turned to Hermione, and lit with joy. He ran over to Ravenclaw, and Hermione rose to meet him. Harry threw his arms around her, hugging Hermione tightly. “I told you I would do it!” Harry loudly exclaimed.

Hermione with a bashful look in her eyes, “I never doubted it, Harry.”

Harry with an arch of his eyebrow. “Oh? Then what was the conversation you had with Clarance?”

Hermione blushed furiously, “Nothing Harry.”

Harry gently chided, “Hermione.”

She stomped her foot and said, “Fine! I told Clarance I would burn him to ash, if he let Dumbledore place you in Gryffindor. He got the message.”

At this point, Headmistress McGonagall yelled, “Potter, Granger! Sit down now!” she was obviously embarrassed about the conversation, that the whole room was witnessing!

They both quickly sat down with a “Sorry professor!”

After quickly siting, Harry grinned at Hermione’s explanation.

“What?” Hermione asked, seeing that grin.

“I said the same thing…in fact I was in the process of doing it when he capitulated.”

Hermione gave him another hug, “Oh Harry!”

Flitwick was listening to the whole exchange. So Clarance was told to place him in Gryffindor, but the Potter Foible ruined that. He shifted in his seat. Harry’s power did not disappoint. He was a Full Magus and would have to be carefully tutored, or students would get hurt. Flitwick shook his head, a Potter Magus with a first-gen Partial Magus mate in Ravenclaw…I may be required to take more direct action now. Glancing down the table to see the furious look in Albus’ eyes, he could see this was definitely not over!

Back at the Ravenclaw table, the students were watching their newest celebrities. Chang tried to make nice with Harry when Hermione orbited like a turret and glared at her, “You owe me an apology!” her hair crackling ominously.

Chang said with her nose in the sky, “I’m sure I have no idea, what you mean.”

Hermione not letting it go, replied viciously, “You said a Potter could never get himself sorted into Ravenclaw. You doubted my Harry!” and her hair gave a loud SNAP! With a curl of smoke rising.

Harry replied to Hermione, “Hermione, leave off. Quiet your magic or you will set your hair on fire! The only opinion I care about is yours. Whoever this is” and Harry waved in Chang’s direction as if swatting away a midge, “and a thousand like her, could never have the weight of your opinion in mine eyes. You know this.”

An older boy from down the table started laughing uproariously, “There you have it, my fellow Ravenclaws. The Potter Foible, as seen firsthand.”

He turned to Chang, “I suggest you back down Cho, the Potter Foible once activated is game over. If you try to interfere…well the last to seriously do so, caused a blood war with the involved family soon extinct. The Potters are not reasonable about these things. You are effectively interfering with a soul-bond and he will kill you...especially being a Magus.”

Harry and Hermione looked at the boy with dawning horror. “Everyone keeps mentioning the Potter Foible. What are you talking about, and is it really that big a deal?” Hermione squeaked.

The boy turning to them, “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Heir Richard Drake, 5th year prefect. You will call me Richard when we are casual, and Sir or Heir Drake, when I am castigating you or giving you orders. Pleased to meet you Heir Potter, miss Granger.” He then paused for effect, “I have heard you declared her your betrothed. I suggest you discuss it with her father soon, as the Potter Foible makes that truer than the signed document itself.”

Hermione started hyperventilating while looking around the room for an escape.

“Mine…MINE!” Harry exclaimed. Once he had her attention he recited while looking in her eyes, “Is it the wind of the dawn that I hear in the pine overhead?”

Hermione looked in his eyes and they dilated realizing what he was quoting. She answered, haltingly “No; but the voice of the deep as it hollows the cliffs of the land.”

Harry continued, “Is there a voice coming up with the voice of the deep from the strand, Once coming up with a Song in the flush of the glimmering red?”

Starting to calm down, Hermione answered, “Love that is born of the deep coming up with the sun from the sea.”

Harry smiled as he said, “Love that can shape or can shatter a life till the life shall have fled?”

Hermione now smiling replied, “Nay! Let us welcome him. Love that can lift up a life from the dead.”

Harry looked in her eyes intently, “Keep him away from the lone little isle. Let us be, let us be.”

Hermione finished, “Nay let him make it his own, let him reign in it. He, it is he, love that is born of the deep coming up with the sun from the sea.”

Hermione just looked at Harry.

“Nothing is changed.” Harry insisted, “I will talk to your father on your 17th birthday and ask for your hand. The only thing that is changed, is now everyone knows how serious I am about it. I am still your Harry.” And he quietly placed his head against hers.

Quickly she gave him another hug. “OK Harry. I will trust you, but as soon as we can, we are thoroughly researching the reach and extant of the Potter Foible!”

Richard smiled, “Ravenclaw’s indeed.”

Note: Duet by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

The feast was in full swing and Harry just looked at all the food with some confusion. He looked at Hermione and back to the food. Hermione quietly asked, “What’s wrong, Harry?”

Harry worriedly replied, “There’s too much food! How can we eat all of this?” He then grimaced in disgust, “Even the Dursleys couldn’t eat all of this!”

Hermione just grabbed his hand and squeezed it, trying to provide comfort. “I’m sure what we don’t eat will go elsewhere. Just eat what looks good to you. Don’t make yourself sick.” she replied consolingly.

Harry nodded, and grabbed some roast chicken. He always loved roast chicken….though was beaten if caught grabbing any.

Hermione sighed as she watched the starving boy at a feast. One thing for sure, no one could fake that look in his eyes. Harry obviously knew what it was to go to bed hungry. It was more likely, he had no clue what it was to go to bed with a full stomach. That emaciated body certainly attested to that!

After having a chicken leg and some potatoes, Harry stopped.

Hermione looked at him, "You can have more, Harry. Please eat," she implored.

Harry replied, "I'm full. I can't eat any more."

Hermione looked at his plate. Harry barely ate enough for a small child, and was now claiming he was completely full. That just gave credence to him being starved regularly. She sighed.

Soon the meal was over and the food vanished. There were more announcements which didn’t make sense, until Headmaster Dumbledore told the first years to follow the prefects to their dorms. At least that made sense!

Drake and his partner Natalie, the other 5th year prefect for Ravenclaw, were soon escorting all the first years up to the Ravenclaw tower. Harry and Hermione followed along, holding hands. Padma, who had joined them in Ravenclaw, was grinning at the two of them.

Hermione looked at her, “Aren’t the two of you twins?” she asked, noticing Parvati wasn't with them.

Padma looked confused for a second, and then smiled, “Parvati and I? Yes! However, we are very different! I am a swot, according to my sister. She is a shirker in my book. Believe me, she will be happier in Gryffindor, I will be happier in Ravenclaw, and we both will be happier away from each other for a while!”

Hermione just grinned back. “I defined swot at my mundane school. I consider it a badge of honor, now!” Padma just laughed.

Soon the prefects brought then to a door at the top of a spiral staircase. On the landing, at the top of the stairs, was one door. A simple wooden door without a knob, handle, or a keyhole. There was a polished bronze eagle-shaped knocker in the center of it.

Natalie called out, "Everyone gather around! Close in!" Soon all the firsties were in a tight group around her at the front of the door. “This is the door which leads into the Ravenclaw dorms." She continued, "There is no code or keyword. You bang the knocker and answer the riddle to get in. If you get it wrong, you are allowed to try a few times. However, if it goes on long enough, the knocker will eventually refuse to talk to you, so keep it reasonable!”

An oriental girl named Su Li asked, “How many false answers until the eagle locks you out?”

Natalie grinned, “A student tried to do a study of that…but the knocker wouldn’t talk to her for the rest of the term! She had a miserable time, waiting for someone to go in, or come out.” When everyone just looked at her for more information, she huffed, “Let’s just say it was more than a dozen and leave it at that.” She then looked around, “Who wants to be first?”

Everyone looked at Harry and seeing their gaze, Harry sighed, stepped forward, and banged the knocker. The knocker intoned, “Turn me on my side and I’m everything. Cut me in half and I’m nothing. What am I?”

Hermione after a second giggled.

Harry looked at her, and Hermione blushed. He raised an eyebrow and she huffed, “What? It’s a good riddle, involving two concepts of historical significance!” When the other students just looked at her, she huffed again, “Think in mathematical concepts, and it will come to you!” she instructed with some frustration.

Harry thought for a second and grinned, “I see.” He turned to the knocker. “The answer is the figure for the number eight. On side, it resembles the symbol for infinity or all, as in everything. Cut in half, it resembles the integer zero, which represents nothing.”

The knocker intoned, “Correct,” and the door clicked and opened wide.

Natalie glanced at Hermione before saying to Harry, "Good job. Everyone in!"

Everyone then walked through and into a vaulted room decorated beautifully in blue and bronze. There was a statue between two staircases going up on the right side of the room. The room also had an extensive library opposite the statue on the left side. As soon as Hermione saw it, she cooed and started shifting to look at the books, but Harry gently pulled her back and shook his head.

On being pulled back, Hermione looked at him. Harry answered the unasked question, “We will examine the library later. I expect we will be given instructions now.”

Natalie replied with an approving nod, “Just so, Heir Potter. The library is for everyone’s use. The main rule, besides not damaging the books” and there were noises of disbelief around the room…loudest from Hermione. Natalie continued, “Is you cannot take these books from this room. No hoarding. Please don’t try it, as the least punishment is no longer being allowed to use this library. You will then be required to use the main Hogwarts library, exclusively.”

“On Sunday and Wednesday evenings, there is mandatory study and review for all first-years. You will be here, immediately after dinner both of those nights until curfew. The two of us, and any other upper years who wish to help, will be tutoring you. High grades are a requirement in Ravenclaw. Laziness is not tolerated. If you can’t motivate yourselves, Master Flitwick will find ways to motivate you. Don’t test this, as he will make sure you don’t enjoy it.”

She then looked at Hermione, “For you first-gens.” and she glanced at Harry, “and others interested too, we offer tutoring to finish your GCSEs…as well as work on your A-levels. Most of us have done so, as having a mundane education, helps us avoid violating the statute, and more easily enjoy the other 95% of the world!”

“Master Flitwick is our head of house and the Master of Charms. He is obviously part Duende by his stature….and training. He is a world champion duelist, and a Duende War Master, with multiple masteries besides Charms. Do NOT call him a goblin, or part-goblin. It is a slur for the Duende race and will not endear you to him. No, they do not speak gobbledegook, their language is called Duende too…though all of them you meet, will speak English…in Britain. He does not entertain questions about his ancestry, or his people. Don’t ask.”

“We expect all Ravenclaw to settle their differences in debate, if possible, and dueling, only if absolutely necessary. For the debates, references are a must. Remember! Losing your temper during a debate means it’s over, and you categorically lost. It will also mean a conversation with Master Flitwick about your lack of self-control. He will assign discipline training to you. You will not enjoy it.”

“Dueling will be with OWL spells only, and always requires a Marshal to officiate. If you need to duel, the Prefects can officiate though you better have a good reason for asking. Be aware, dueling is Master Flitwick’s usual disciplinary choice if things get serious. Sting hexes are Master Flitwick’s go to spell…and he uses them very effectively. When he duels you, it will hurt. A lot.”

Pointing at the two staircases, “The one on the left is for wizards, and the one on the right goes to the witch’s rooms. Wizards are not allowed up the witch’s staircase unless escorted by a prefect or professor, and an explanation of the intrusion will be required. Both wizard prefects and Master Flitwick will warn the witches if they come up…and they will always have witch chaperones and good reasons for being there. This is your safe space from wizards…use it, if you need it.”

She paused for a second, “Yes, this means witches are allowed in the wizard’s rooms, so you wizards really don’t have official safe spaces. However, if a witch is making a nuisance of herself and doesn’t leave when asked, she will be sternly reprimanded, and seriously punished if she makes that necessary.”

She gave a telling look at the ladies, “Just because you are allowed in the wizard’s bedrooms, and in their bathroom, don’t invade their space without permission first! We all share your Ravenclaw curiosity, but don’t try to play the research card to satisfy that curiosity without getting permission first, unless you wish the mirror punishment, used on you.”

A boy raised his hand and asked, “Mirror punishment?”

Natalie smiled viciously, “Why yes. A few years ago, an enterprising young witch in the throughs of puberty, used a series of wards and charms to watch the wizards shower, without asking them if she could. She claimed it was for a paper on the variation of the male genitalia and expected growth patterns as they finished puberty. Since she had examined most of the boy’s genitalia with enough detail to chart measurements, she was expected to mirror the experience for them.”

Hermione turned red with embarrassment and exclaimed, “Oh NO!”

Natalie noting how quickly Hermione picked up on it, “Exactly! She was required to strip bare, spread her legs on that table over there, and give a point-by-point presentation of the female genitalia to her victims. Naturally all the boys presented themselves for the lecture. She wasn’t allowed to conclude until she taught every single boy, using herself as a model, how to diagram the external genital anatomy of a witch, in exacting detail.”

One girl yelled out, “You let the boys molest her?”

Natalie with a frown and a violent shake of her head, exclaimed “Of course not! If she had actually touched them against their will, she would have been severely punished, if not also arrested for assault! As it was, she looked closely at them, without touching them, so she was required to provide the same. A thorough visual education only…and she was warded so they couldn’t touch her, even if they wanted.” She then smirked, “I do believe, that proved to be humiliating enough.”

Turning to the group, “Get the idea, firsties?” Everyone nodded in horror.

“As each of you will have an individual room, it is obvious an overnight dalliance will only occur in a wizard’s room…well if a wizard is involved. If found in a wizard’s room, be sure you are welcome there, and that you are not having intercourse…until both of you, are at least 16 years old.” She obviously glanced at Harry and Hermione who both blushed, “No exceptions, and the punishment will be seriously unpleasant, with enforced separation a guaranteed component of such a violation.”

Hermione grabbed Harry's hand tighter, but then timidly raised her other hand. When Natalie noticed it, she asked “Yes Miss Granger?”

“So girls…I mean witches, can spend the night…with wizards, so long as they don’t have sex? Before 16 years old?” she asked timidly but with a face so red, it was a wonder she didn’t drive herself unconscious. There was nervous laughter among the other witches.

“Did she just ask that?” was heard in back. Natalie shushed the talking with a stern look.

Natalie just shook her head, “Damn Potter Foible” she muttered to herself. Turning her head to Hermione, “Please don’t make a habit of it, don’t let it interfere with your studies, stay quiet during quiet hours, and expect the ‘Examen Virginitatis” spell to be cast on you both weekly. Make sure you both continue to test virginal, for the next two years, and there should be no additional problems. OK?”

Harry and Hermione both continued to blush bright red, while there was extensive snickering from the other firsties, not to mention the older students listening in. Harry just gripped her hand tighter.

Mandy Brocklehurst, a witch with a beautiful smile and brown hair, seemed to like humor and was already getting known for light teasing, though it was too soon to say whether or not she was a bully. She seemed to live via ‘Carpe Diem’, and with a wicked grin at Hermione, asked Natalie “What constitutes loss of virginity? Surely not just a good fingering!” she asked with obviously false concern.

Natalie blushed furiously while the older students snickered and laughed from the sidelines. With a glare at the older students, she turned back to answer Mandy, “That question is actually apropos. Virginity is lost when a penis penetrates your vagina or anus…boys too…for both participants. You may differentiate the two, but the spell…and the law does not!”

“So…fingers and oral are allowed?” Mandy asked with an even larger grin.

This time the laughing from the upper-classmen was loud, as Natalie continued to blush while she nodded forcefully, “Yes, Mandy. Neither fingers, nor tongue will get you in trouble with that spell or the law…even if the hymen is compromised. The spell actually checks for magic injection…down below. Semen is ripe with magic, so a boy ejaculating in your vagina, or anus, will mark you as no longer virginal.”

Mandy grinned and asked further, “Then how do you keep your virginity…if you swallow?”

The older students just started laughing uproariously as Natalie turned bright red. Hermione was looking at Mandy avidly, obviously wanting the answer to this question too.

Natalie sighed and got herself under control, before she replied with flashing eyes and a firm mouth, “Saliva has magic in it too. If the spell registered magic infusion orally, anyone who had a good snog would test positive. Therefore, the spell doesn’t check for a magical infusion from above at all. Ergo, Yes. You can safely swallow your wizards semen and magic without issue.”

Harry raised his hand, and she nodded to him, “Slick too?”

Natalie closed her eyes in pain while the older students laughed loudly again. She opened them, looking at Harry “Yes…slick is safe too, so you can reward your witch for her attention without fear as well.”

She paused for a second, “HOWEVER,” she broke in loudly, “Such activities will be kept behind closed doors, and in the bedrooms! That includes solo…as in masturbation! If you are caught pleasuring yourself…or someone else, anywhere but your room…without a closed door, we will make you regret it!” and she turned to the older students with a threatening “Clear?”

The last comment was obviously directed at the older students, who all nodded enthusiastically to Natalie. They realized they may have gone too far, as she had a full mad on. Afterall, they were much more likely to suffer under her enforcement of that comment, than the firsties!

Natalie concluded, after taking a breath to calm herself, again “Now our first study session is coming up, soon. In addition to prepping for classes, you will have read the Hogwarts rule book. Expect to be quizzed on it. I now turn you over to your head of house, Master Flitwick.”

Master Flitwick was a short fellow, barely 4 feet tall, but had a strength of body and mind, which was very evident. He also walked like a cat which indicated he was a sportsman, or a warrior despite wearing a three-piece suit with an open robe over it.

He examined everyone with a clear and deductive look, despite his laughing eyes. “Greetings, new Ravenclaws! You have begun a wonderful adventure where you will learn the most important fact, there is always more to learn!” his enthusiasm was infectious and soon the young students had forgotten the dire warnings of earlier.

“Rowena was a wonderous researcher and a spell-crafter of infinite capability. She also placed value on logic, deductive reasoning, and rational clear thinking. The secret to an educated mind is a well-disciplined one. You are still young, and as such have much to learn. Allowances will be made, but if you fail to learn the lessons of self-control, I will find out what will convince you to try harder. As your head of house, I have full ‘in loco parentis” rights. This means if I believe you need to have privileges revoked, I will do so. If I believe a series of painful sting hexes to your bottom, is what’s needed to motivate you, that will be arranged too.”

“Don’t try to argue that, I am singling you out. While I am a victim to my emotions as much as anyone, I have spent decades learning to control my baser instincts, and rule my life with reason, experience, and logic. My final goal is to see each and every one of you be the best you possibly can be. Doing this will not be easy. Doing this will often be painful and rarely gentle. However, I have yet to have a graduating Ravenclaw fail to thank me for teaching them to be a better wizard or witch…and I have no intention of ending that streak now. Any questions? No? Off to bed with you now.”

As the students started to move up the stairs, Hermione pulled Harry over to Master Flitwick. He looked at them like he was expecting something, but just stood there waiting.

Hermione began, “Master Flitwick?”

With a kind and curious look in his eyes he asked, “Yes Miss Granger?”

Hermione blushed, “Please call me Hermione sir.” He nodded with a grin. “Um…I noticed that both Harry and my hair, has sparked and actually smoked, numerous times since we arrived. To the point where spontaneous combustion is a risk. Is there anything we can do?”

Flitwick looked at the two of them. “Do you two understand the different power levels of wicca?” Harry and Hermione made so-so motions.

Flitwick replied, “There are four, well really five, power levels. Each an exponential degree higher than the lower. The first is mundane. Every living being has magic, but a no mag has too little, or lacks the ability, to manipulate it consciously. The next level is witch/wizard. This is the level of the vast majority of wizards and witches…ergo the name. The level above that is sorcerer/sorceress, and the upper levels are Partial Magus and Full Magus. Over 95 in 100 wicca are wizard level, with the remaining at Sorcerer level. Maybe 1 in 10,000 are partial Magus. 1 in a million are Full Magus, like Heir Potter here.”

“Please call me Harry sir.” And Flitwick again smiled and nodded to the compliment.

Hermione looked at him, “So…I’m a sorceress?”

Flitwick grinned, “My dear, unless I miss my guess, you are a Partial Magus.”

Hermione then frowned, “What about our hair. Will we need to shave our heads?”

Flitwick laughed, “That was brilliant! In the eastern schools, that is precisely what is required until control is learned, for wicca at your power levels. Many keep their heads bald having grown accustomed to it during their training. No, we will try to avoid that. If your hair catches fire too many times, you may change your mind, but for now we will teach you both the extinguish charm, and the two of you will be immediately slotted into my morning discipline course.” They both looked nervous at the mention of the punitive step often taken.

Flitwick with a kind smile, “Just because I use the course for punishment, doesn’t mean that’s its only purpose. After all, I have been ‘punishing’ myself daily for over 50 years. It’s a shame that most wizards are inherently lazy, though it does make punishing them easy. Self-discipline to a military grade is necessary at your power levels.”

On noticing their trepidation, he further explained, “Let me show you something.”

He then turned to Harry, “pull your wand, Harry. Now without saying anything push your magic down into your wand while thinking about a white light.”

Harry pulled his wand and said, “Like thi-“ and a blinding light erupted over the room, so bright it was as bad as looking directly into the sun.

There were screams around the room and Flitwick then yelled, “Think dark, Harry!” and suddenly the room was pitch black, not a speck of light to be seen anywhere…well except the spots burning in their eyes from the previous light.

Now there were screams of terror, and Flitwick loudly sighed, “Well that will show me…OK Harry, think nothing and pull your magic away from your wand.”

Harry could be heard gritting his teeth, “It’s fighting me sir!”

Flitwick curtly replied, “Of course it is! Control it, Harry! Do it now!” and suddenly everything was normal again. He then looked at the two of them, “Do you see why discipline training is necessary for you two now?”

They both nodded fearfully, but energetically.

Flitwick continued, “We will be doing this daily. Physical discipline in the morning at 5am to teach you to instinctively follow my commands, harden your bodies, and learn to control them. Magical discipline at 3pm to harden your minds, and learn to control your thoughts and magic. I am not going to be gentle and will sting your backsides if you flag in your efforts. Try to remember, I am not punishing you, but training you. Do you understand?”

Harry just sighed, but Hermione looked scared, her eyes wet with unshed tears. Her father had only spanked her occasionally over the years, and it HURT!

Harry just squeezed her hand tighter and said, "Yes Master Flitwick."

Hermione glanced at Harry and haltingly said, “Yes Master Flitwick.” With obvious fear.

“Off to bed with you now.” He noticed Hermione’s distress and made a decision, “Change into your night clothes and sleep together if you need.”

He noticed Hermione looking confused at being told to sleep with a boy. Flitwick responded, “The Potter Foible requires close contact, at least for a while. You will have problems sleeping apart, again for a while. This isn’t about sex, and if you two do something you shouldn’t, I will separate you, Potter Foible or not.” He replied sternly.

After he saw they understood how serious he was, he smiled again, “I will collect the two of you at 4:45 tomorrow in Harry’s room.” Hermione blushed, but just squeezed Harry’s hand tightly, still afraid. As there was a SNAP! from her hair. Flitwick flicked his wand and put out the ember burning in it.

Harry and Hermione walked to the stairs, and noticeably had a problem releasing their hands before racing separately, up the stairs. Flitwick shook his head. He then turned to the room, “When Hermione comes back down in a few minutes to climb the other stairs, no one will say a word. Clear?”

Cho balked, “But sir.”

“CLEAR?” in a voice which brooked no dispute.

She had been in morning discipline and had no wish to repeat it. “Yes Sir!” she exclaimed.

Filius then turned to glare at her. “I have noticed a tendency toward bullying, Miss Chang. You will leave Miss Granger alone, or a punishment duel is in your future. Last warning.”

Chang went white at that threat. It was known he was really serious when he said ‘last warning.’ “Yes Sir!”

Filius nodded and then went to meet with his Prefects in the corner. They needed to understand some things, or bodies were going to be buried, and with the Potter Foible in effect, it would be legal!

About 10 minutes later, Miss Granger, in the most ridiculous full body pair of fluffy warm pajamas with a hood and footies came down. She obviously wasn't wearing the hood, but with her feet in the footies of the pajamas, she knew she looked ridiculous. She was holding a blue stuffed dragon and a pillow. She was obviously embarrassed by her pajamas and wouldn’t meet anyone’s eyes. There was another SNAP! from her hair, which she patted out while juggling her possessions.

It was too cute, her pajamas being fuzzy bright pink and having multiple bows. It made her look like she was a scared young girl, despite being almost 15 years old. She did not look like a witch, wishing to sex her wizard, at all.

On hitting the bottom, she glanced into the room, but everyone seemed to be completely ignoring her. She then took two steps across to the other staircase, and paused.

Natalie calmly walked up, “Would you like me to escort you to Mr. Potter’s quarters, Miss Granger?”

Hermione squeaked cutely, having not noticed her approach. Then with a slight curtsey, “Please call me Hermione, Miss Boorman. And yes, I don’t know which is his room.”

Natalie with a kind smile, replied, “Then you must call me Natalie, when I am not cross with you. Come this way, Hermione.” And she escorted her up.

Once he knew they were out of earshot, Richard exclaimed, “That was too cute! That stuffed dragon and those pajamas. She is such a firstie.”

Roger snorted, “You do realize that firstie has enough magic to obliterate you…and Potter.” He shuddered in fear, “I tried to cancel the darkness and it did nothing. I was never so scared in my life.”

Flitwick broke in, “I’m glad you all understand the seriousness of the situation. I will have those two joining me for morning and afternoon discipline for the foreseeable future. They need the training and I want all of you to make it clear to them this is for everyone’s safety and not because they are being punished in any way. If I hear otherwise…”

There were murmurs of denial around the room. Flitwick was rarely this serious, but when he was, he was intolerant of excuses.

Harry had changed into his school pajamas, and was trying to decide if he should go back downstairs and ask about Hermione. Fortunately, he told Madam Malkin he had zero clothes, and she took the opportunity to fully kit him out. She had included two sets of pajamas. One thin for hot weather, and one thick for cold weather. Harry, never having had pajamas before, was wearing the warm weather ones, besides it was only September.

Just as he was about to go downstairs, there was a knock at the door. Natalie poked her head in and asked, “I have Hermione here. Is she allowed to join you?” The sudden joy in Harry’s eyes was all Natalie needed to see. She turned to Hermione, “There is a single bathroom at the end of the hall for visitors. Use that as necessary. I would return to the witch dorms when you need to wash. OK?”

Hermione blushed and nodded with a smile. “Thank you, Natalie.”

Natalie gave her a hug and said, “Be good. Good night.” And she walked away.

Hermione then turned to Harry and just stood there in the doorway. Harry beckoned, “Please come in and close the door, Hermione.”

When Hermione didn’t move, Harry said, ‘I am nervous too, but Master Flitwick and I noticed you were afraid. Why were you afraid?” Harry asked gently.

Hermione sighed, came in and closed the door. She slowly wandered over, realizing his room was no different from hers. She then sat at the foot of the bed, tucking one leg under another while chewing on her lower lip. She just looked at Harry for a time, and he kept waiting.

Finally, Hermione said, “The discipline training scares me…especially the mentioning of using stings to our bottoms to motivate us. I have only been spanked when really bad, and each time it really hurt! I can only imagine stings to our bottoms will be horrible!” she exclaimed, almost crying.

Harry sighed and looked away, “I envy you. I have gone many days where I received multiple whippings in that day. The days I wasn’t beaten, are easily outnumbered by the days I was…multiple times. Even when I was locked in my room, I was often dragged out for a beating. Food was often forgotten, but the whipping rarely was.”

Hermione launched herself into Harry’s arms, “Oh Harry!” and she just cried on his shoulder, holding him tightly. After a time she quieted, and Harry gently pushed her away to look in her eyes.

“Master Flitwick is nothing like the Dursleys.” Harry said with conviction, “He really believes this training is necessary to keep us from losing control and hurting an innocent. The threat of stinging our bottoms, should be little more than a threat. A way to let you know, getting pouty, lazy, or whiney will not be tolerated…and it shouldn’t be. This is too important. Do you understand?”

Hermione sighed and Harry allowed her to hug him again, “Yes Harry, I was just scared. Can I hold you tonight?”

Harry with a dry chuckle, “Mine, despite what everyone said, I hope to hold you every night for the rest of my life!”

Hermione burrowed under the covers and snuggled up against Harry. “Yes, my everything.” She said with a sigh of relief. She couldn’t understand it. She trusted Harry. Here she was, going to sleep next to a boy…who should be pawing all over her girl bits at the first opportunity…but she trusted him. Hermione was soon asleep, safe in Harry’s arms.

Harry took a while longer to fall asleep, spending much of the night just listening to her breathe, listening to her heart beat, and drinking in the smell of her. He pulled the covers back and looked at her body, covered by those ridiculous pajamas. As she moved from the sudden temperature change, he covered her back up and pulled her tight against him, getting a sigh of contentment from her, as she settled back to sleep.

He couldn’t even contemplate touching, or looking at anything, without her express permission. Her trust meant much more to him, than satisfying his curiosity. For Harry, Hermione was already the only important thing in the world, and he would do anything he could to protect her…even from himself.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

4:45 in the morning, was very early for most students. Flitwick came in, and looked at the two. They were asleep, wrapped up in each other, with Hermione clutching Harry like a favorite stuffed teddy bear. It was so cute. He was tempted to take a picture, but could always use a pensieve later, if he wished.

After pausing for a second, Flitwick yelled “All right you two! Time to get up!” and the two shot apart like they were a couple of 3rd years caught doing something in public, they were supposed to keep behind closed doors. “Out of bed! I am helping you today, to get to training on time. Tomorrow it will be on you, and your bottom will pay, if you are late!”

Hermione shot out of bed, and quickly looked around for proper clothes, before realizing she didn’t have any here. She blushed to her roots, absently pulling at her pajamas, and looked worryingly at Flitwick, with beseeching eyes.

Flitwick sighed, “We will order PT uniforms for your physical training. It will have an open matrix, to accept different charms to deal with temperature and moisture. Training is in all weather, and you will quickly learn how to cast the necessary charms. Got it?”

Harry yelled “Yes Sir!” and tried to snap to attention, but obviously didn’t know how. Flitwick then popped his wand and with a flick, the two of them were in dark blue heavy-duty cargo pants, black tactical boots, and blue caps on their heads. They were in bronze-colored T-shirts with the Hogwarts and Ravenclaw emblems on them, and over this was a dark blue PT jacket. Hermione squeaked at her breasts being ‘more visible’ in just a T-shirt, and bouncing a bit, since she wasn’t in a bra.

Flitwick glanced at her and noticed she hadn’t support charmed herself. He sighed, remembering just how new she was to all of this. He then cast the charm on her, with a flick of his wrist.

Hermione felt ‘something’ grab her breasts and hold them steady. She squeaked again grabbing her chest defensively.

Harry looked at her in confusion, as she blushed. Flitwick sighed and said to Hermione, “Support charm. Witches don’t use support undergarments for their breasts as the support charm is much more comfortable…so I have been told by…well everyone. I assume you would prefer, to have Natalie teach you the charm, instead of me? OK Hermione?” he said by way of apology.

Hermione blushed and nodded, but didn’t say anything. It felt like someone was holding her breasts, and since it was Flitwick’s magic…Hermione shuddered and just dropped her hands from her breasts, realizing nothing untoward was occurring…even if it felt wrong.

Flitwick then flicked his wand again, and Hermione felt her hair pull and start moving around, quickly. She reached up to the top of her head and realized her hair was now braided tightly to her head, effectively keeping it out of her way. She looked at Flitwick again with a question.

“This is your uniform." He said, handing each a cap, which they put on, "You will be wearing it, and present yourself properly, at precisely 5am, at the designated training location. I will teach you, that military braiding charm, Hermione. Most witches don't like it, but something tells me as a Potter shield-maiden, you will understand its utility. Understood?”

This time both Hermione and Harry, tried to snap to attention, yelling “Yes Sir!”

Flitwick then corrected their posture, raising Hermione’s head, “Keep you face neutral, Hermione. Never let an enemy read you. Understand?”

Hermione nodded, “Yes sir.”

“Don’t nod, just reply staying still.” Flitwick sighed, this was going to be a great amount of work, “All right you two, follow me.” And he ran, leading them down through the castle, collecting those few students who regularly joined him, and those few on punishment duty. Both Harry and Hermione noticed, most of the other students didn’t have the PT uniforms they wore, just using their ‘street clothes’.

Flitwick saw the confusion and offered, “Only the serious students invest in our PT uniform. Since the two of you will be with me for a while, you will be glad for it. Your street clothes, or Hogwarts uniform, will not hold up to the rigors of these activities, for very long.”

Harry nodded, and mumbled “Yes Master Flitwick.”

Soon they were outside in a courtyard. Flitwick then led the group on a run. Hermione had thought she was in decent shape, but after a km, she was flagging. Suddenly she felt a very painful sting to her bottom, and yelled, “EEEK!” as she jumped, grabbing her bottom while instinctively running faster. She looked behind herself with worry as to the cause, and didn’t see anything. She found herself hoping it was Flitwick, as another cause could be worse!

In answer to her unasked question, Flitwick yelled from in front, “Yes, I stung you. Move it, Miss Granger. I know you have more in you!”

With tears leaking down her eyes, Hermione gasped out “Yes Master Flitwick!” and sped up to catch back up to the group. Harry faded back, and started running behind her. He occasionally gave her a push, to keep her moving at an appropriate pace. It was a grueling 5k jog, with a set pace of 30 minutes.

Once done, they had a short break for five minutes. Harry held Hermione up, when she went to sit down, shaking his head no. Sure enough, those students who sat down, were soon screaming and jumping up, from sting hexes hitting their bottoms.

After the five-minute break, Master Flitwick led them in calisthenics. They did push-ups, sit-ups, burpees, and another dozen strenuous activities. Hermione still feeling the painful burning in her right buttock, never let her pain and fatigue slow her down and wasn’t one of the numerous students stung during this evolution. Finally, after 20 minutes of hard work, Flitwick led the group over to an obstacle course. Hermione’s small feeling of success at avoiding another sting, shriveled away to nothing. This course looked impossible!

Without missing a beat, Flitwick sent the first two students into the course…stinging both when they were unable to finish the rope climb.

Soon it was her and Harry’s turn. Flitwick motioned them in. Harry took off and attacked the rope with gusto. Hermione went over to the rope, and half-heartedly climbed a few feet, before she let go and fell to the cushioned ground underneath. Before she could turn, ZAP! Her right buttock received another sting, at least as strong as the one on the run!

“OWW! Master Flitwick!” she exclaimed while rubbing her bottom and trying to control the tears forming in her eyes.

Flitwick turned to her, “I don’t expect you to master this course today, Miss Granger. However, you will actually try! Now, get to it!” he sternly ordered.

Hermione screamed out, “Yes, Master Flitwick!” and she scrambled to her feet, rubbing her bottom for a second before grabbing the rope. She was able to climb up six feet, before her arms gave out and she fell again. She then noticed the ground was weirdly soft as she wasn’t hurt when she fell. Strangely enough, Flitwick nodded at her in approval, and motioned for her to go to the next station.

Thirty minutes later, Hermione was sprawled below the twelfth station, laying there exhausted. Harry finished his attempt and went over to her. Harry looked at Hermione sitting despondently below the twelfth station.

Harry came closer and plopped down next to her. “How did you do?” He asked tiredly. “I only finished three, and nowhere near the time necessary to pass, much less master.” He started rubbing her back in comfort.

Hermione with tears forming in her eyes, latched onto his arms and pulled herself up into a hug, clutching onto him. Soon she was crying and sobbing. Hermione exclaimed, “I can’t do it! I can’t do it! I’m so sorry, Harry. I know I can’t give up, but I just can’t do it. I didn’t finish a single station!” In the process of desperately grasping at Harry, his PT jacket and T-shirt had risen up being clutched in her hands.

“WHAT IS THAT?!” roared Flitwick. He had come over to let Hermione know she actually did well for a beginner, but with Harry’s shirt pulled up, he saw Harry’s back.

Hermione immediately yanked Harry’s shirt down, and stood up next to Harry saying nothing. Harry had stood up at attention, too. There was a SNAP! from Hermione's hair.

“I ASKED THE TWO OF YOU A QUESTION! I BETTER START HEARING AN ANSWER RIGHT NOW!” Flitwick roared.

“That is the remains of my daily reward for being a freak,” replied Harry bitterly, saying no more. There was a SNAP! from his hair this time as a curl of smoke rose from it.

“Explain!” Flitwick ordered in a more normal voice, but still brooked no disobedience. He flicked his wand, automatically casting fire suppression charms on both their hair, and putting out the burning embers. It was becoming instinctive at this point.

Harry stated in a flat emotionless voice, “I have lived with my magic-hating mundane relatives, since that day. For as long as I can remember, I was spanked or whipped near daily, and I don’t mean once. They were attempting to beat the magic out of me…multiple times a day.”

He turned to look Flitwick in the eye, “Since Dumbledore arranged it, and I say that because I saw the letter and heard the occasional argument, I must assume all of Dumbledore’s supporters know what happened to me…and allowed or aided it.” The look in Harry’s eyes said he held Flitwick accountable for this, too.

Flitwick tried to keep his irritation at someone questioning his honor out of his voice, but the cold look in his eyes belied that. After a minute, he coldly replied “If you wish to challenge my honor, don’t be subtle about it! However, your doubt in this instance is warranted, even if it is, erroneous. No, I am not a Dumbledore supporter, like…others. However, I do work for him. No, I had no knowledge of your fate. Your mother was an apprentice of mine and I considered her a daughter. Headmaster Dumbledore was wise to keep this from me, but now that I know, you will not return to that house. What would be the point, with all the other inhabitants…dead?”

Hermione’s eyes which had been looking down all this time, suddenly snapped up. “Your oath on it?” she asked with desperate hope.

Flitwick with a fierce Duende grin, pulled out a large knife or short sword. Hermione wasn’t sure which. He used the blade to cut the palm of his right hand, deep enough to have blood well up, quickly. Flitwick made a fist and soon the blood was dripping, from between his fingers, and onto the ground. While holding his bleeding fist out, he intoned “I, Filius Flitwick Short-blade of clan Fodrumk, swear by my Honor and the Honor of clan Fodrumk, that I will see the Dursleys dead and Harry Potter, never again under their care. This I swear on my Strength, my Honor, my Blood, and my Magic. So mote IT!” And magic swirled around him. He then held out his healed hand to the two, signifying a true oath, and quickly cleaned his blade before putting it away.

He looked at Hermione, noticing she was now looking at him, equally fiercely, “You seem to have found more energy,” he noted with a tight smile.

Hermione glared at Flitwick and replied, “As you promised Harry will never return to that house, so I will not give up and keep working until I can complete this damned course! I swear it!” and magic swirled around her too.

Flitwick smiled, “Go shower and dress for class. Don’t be late.” He turned away before turning back, “Here!” and he tossed a container to Hermione and Harry. “That is bruise balm. As this wasn’t punishment duty, you are allowed to balm those stings I hit you with. It should only take a small dab as I didn’t hit you hard. You each need to do each other. It won’t work if you try to treat yourself. Get going.”

The two realized they had more energy, as they raced back to the dorms. Hermione was blushing and refusing to look at Harry, when she realized if she wanted those two stings off her bottom, Harry had to rub them away...from her bare bottom.

They went their separate directions and showered. Harry was obviously in a hurry, so didn’t have time to talk to the others in the bathroom. He raced through to clean before he quickly dressed for class. Drat it, he was still having trouble with his tie.

Anthony, who had finished dressing, saw him struggling, and offered “Allow me.” He quickly tied the tie for Harry.

Harry replied, “Thank you!” and they raced out with a nod from Anthony. Harry raced downstairs and met up with the other first years who were waiting for him. He muttered to the prefects “Anthony stayed behind to help me with my tie, he wasn’t late!”

Richard nodded to Anthony, “Thank you Mr. Goldstein.” Turning back to Harry, “Try to be on time if you can. Flitwick’s morning discipline program is brutal, but still try.” The girls had just showed up too, and Hermione looked fine if a bit tired.

Hermione was hiding the fact that her bottom hurt, as she hadn’t had the courage to have Harry or anyone else rub the ointment into her bottom. She had also put on her bra when dressing in her uniform…and it felt weird with the support charm still holding her breasts. She was trying to ignore the foreign magic, but it was making her skin crawl.

After breakfast Hermione went to Natalie, obviously fidgeting “Miss Boorman, I need help.” She implored.

Natalie pulled her aside, “We have a minute or two. What’s the issue?”

Hermione blushed, “Master Flitwick cast a support charm on me, since I didn’t have my bra, or know how.”

Natalie winced, “Ouch! Say no more. Do you want me to cancel it?”

Hermione with relief and gratification in her eyes, blurted out, “Yes, please!”

Natalie popped her wand and with a flick at Hermione’s chest cast, “Finite!”

Suddenly the invasive feeling of Flitwick’s magic holding her breasts was gone, and her breasts settled back to normal in her bra. Hermione sighed, “I feel like I’m betraying Master Flitwick, but that just didn’t feel good at all!”

Natalie looked at her sympathetically, “You need to more than just trust someone, to tolerate them casting magic on you. Your magic needs to be used to theirs, and that takes time. Trust me, even having a girlfriend cast the charm on me, could have me out of sorts, after a while, and a wizard? No, just no. We will work on the charm as soon as you have the skill to cast it.” She looked at Hermione for a few seconds, “You will be wearing your bra for a while, if you don’t want others casting the charm on you, and as you found out, you probably don’t.”

They soon began their first day, and Hermione felt much better about her breasts. She then sighed, as now nothing distracted her from how much her bottom still hurt.

By three pm, the two were exhausted. However, they were both waiting in their training outfits, Hermione also in a bra this time. They found their new uniforms, folded on their beds. They were sitting on a couch, just holding hands and resting their heads against each other.

Master Flitwick showed up precisely at 3pm. On seeing him, they both tried to quickly stand at attention. He took one look at them and smiled, “Excellent! Come with me.” He led them through a door into a hallway. He looked at Harry and Hermione, “Both of you, go into that room.” and he pointed at a door.

Harry and Hermione went through the door and he followed them into the room. The room was smallish, with two doors in the opposite wall. Both doors had a plate next to them which was white.

Flitwick came in after, and started explaining. “This is Rowena Ravenclaw’s treasure. A multi-dimensional room with hundreds, maybe thousands of possible rooms that can be used for studying and experimentation.”

Flitwick then went over to one of the doors and put his hand on the white glowing rectangle next to the door. Shortly after he put his hand on it, it turned green.

Flitwick turned to Harry, “Put your hand on the rectangle, and force your magic into it.” He commanded.

Harry came over, and put his hand on the rectangle. Nothing happened, so he pushed his magic into the rectangle. Suddenly it turned blue. Harry pulled his hand away, and it turned green again.

Flitwick then turned to Hermione, “Now you do the same.”

Hermione put her hand on, and pushed her magic. It turned blue and then green when she pulled her hand away, too.

Flitwick then put his hand on once again. The rectangle turned white. He took his hand off, and the rectangle turned red.

Flitwick turned to the two of them. “This room is now set for the two of you. When you enter here, find the door which is red as you approach, and put your hand on the rectangle. When you push magic into it, the rectangle will turn green and the door will open.”

Harry went over and put his hand on and forced his magic. The rectangle turned green and the door clicked open. Flitwick then motioned the two of them through.

Once in the room, Flitwick said, “There is your study room. Only the three of us may open the door. In this room the two of you will practice your magic and do your private studying and practicing.” Flitwick flicked his wand three times and three squishy bean-bag chairs appeared in a circle.

Flitwick turned to his apprentices…’Wow…where did that come from?’ he thought about calling them apprentices. “OK you two, this will be our study room. The nature of Ravenclaw tower is it can make an unknown number of study rooms which help you practice spells, do experimentation, and well…study. You will not bring anyone else in here, understand?”

Hermione looked around, “There is no furniture in here.”

“Exactly, and there will be none. If you want furniture, make it. What you bring in, you may take out, but I will not allow anything other than books, notes, parchment, quills, or experimental ingredients to be brought in.” With a look at Hermione, “Brink so much as a pillow to sit on, and I will be obligated to give you a reason to need a pillow to sit on. Understand, young lady?” he warned.

Hermione remembering the sting hexes from that morning, and her still sore bottom, nodded nervously. “Yes Sir!”

“Today we are working on meditation. You both have way too much power for first year spells. As such you both need to add a valve to your power. If your magic is a hosepipe, then we will be teaching you to turn it partially off to control its flow, like this.”

Flitwick raised his wand and you could see a lumus light on the end of his wand, get brighter and dimmer as he willed it. “This is not done with a spell, but is the result of restricting and releasing my magic to flow to my wand.” he explained.

Flitwick put his wand away, “However, for starters we are going to teach you the first stage of occlumency, or meditation to the point where you can sense your magic as a pool of power in your mind. From that point we will teach you how to harness it under your control, and not as a childish whim. Sit in the chairs, close your eyes and feel your magic.” he ordered.

After a while they both had some idea of their magic. Flitwick then retaught them the lumos spell, after giving each of them welding shields to protect their eyes. It took another hour, but before dinner, both had forced their magic to obey. The lights dimmed to normal brightness, up and down. Up and down. By the end both were soaking wet from sweating, they had worked so hard.

Seeing how tired they were, and realizing the time, Flitwick bade them “Stop.” And the two stopped their charms and put away their wands, breathing heavily. “Nicely done you two. Very nicely done. We will repeat this exercise with this as your goal.”

He then started a piece of music in the background and held up his wand. The wand pulsed different levels of brightness for each note climbing and falling with the song. He wasn’t even watching it but was doing the exercise with his eyes closed.

Not looking at them, Flitwick stated “Keeping my eyes closed is misleading. It is actually easier to do this with your eyes closed once you have locked different lumos intensities to each note. You can see your magic clearer with your eyes closed. Understand?”

Both Harry and Hermione murmured “Yes sir.” Obviously exhausted. Harry whipped his hair out of his eyes with exasperation.

Flitwick noticing the frustration, “What is wrong Mr. Potter?”

Harry responded with irritation, “My hair. I have tried to cut it, but it always comes back to this length. It never grows, it never shortens. Is there some way to fix this?” he asked plaintively.

Flitwick laughed a great belly laugh. “Sorry to laugh at you Harry, but that was hilarious. The Potters are one of the oldest families in the known world, having originally come from Peverell." He looked at Harry, "Yes, those Peverell, though I don't know which brother." he explained casually.

Harry just looked at him. "I don't know who you are talking about." he said embarrassingly.

Flitwick frowned, "We are going to get you the Potter family grimoire, so you can learn your history." he paused for a second, "Back to my original point, there are multiple curses in your family tree and while the Potter Foible is one, the Potter Hair is another. The reason your family is so wealthy is because most modern hair-care products were invented by the Potters, trying to solve the Potter Hair curse. To my knowledge, there is no cure, or treatment. Sorry, Harry.”

He then grinned with a sly glance at Hermione, “However, unless I miss my guess, two of your family inventions will soon be used by Hermione. Her hair isn’t cursed and the Potter brilliance will soon see her problem in abeyance, if not cured.”

He leaped up from his bean chair, and cancelled all three, forcing the other two to crash to the floor.

Hermione shrieked and grabbed her bottom after hitting the ground hard, before she scrambled up to stand at attention, tears falling from her eyes. Neither looked happy but kept their mouth closed. Flitwick nodded with evident approval.

Flitwick looked at her, “I take it you didn’t balm your bottom. That was an interesting choice, though now you understand what will happen if I forbid you to balm it. I will do that as a severe punishment, if you make it necessary.”

He then looked at both of them, “Hit the showers and go to dinner. You have study-hall tonight. I know you are tired, but will yourselves to properly finish the day. You will soon be asleep in each-other’s arms again. Dismissed.”

Neither had the energy to blush as they mumbled, “Sir.” Before trundling out of the room. Flitwick watched them go. He knew he was pushing them hard, but something had told him they could take it. The next two days would be the real trial. He sighed and left to get some dinner, before he had to get work done.

Study hall was rough, as they were exhausted. The two did finish their prep work and reading of the Hogwarts handbook, and their necessary prep for potions class the next day. Soon they went to Harry’s room and saw both of their pajamas laid out on the bed. It was a testament to Hermione’s exhaustion that she just turned her back and striped down to knickers, before pulling on her pajamas.

After pulling her pajamas over her sore bottom with a wince, Hermione looked at Harry with an embarrassed and very red face. She then looked away from Harry, before she laid over the edge of the bed, and pulled her pajamas back down, uncovering her bottom.

“Please Harry, it really hurts.” She whined. Holding out the jar of bruise balm, while looking away. There was a SNAP! as a spark lit her hair with another curl of smoke.

Harry looked at her uncovered bottom in just knickers and blushed when he got an erection. After adjusting his erection to a less painful position, he came over to Hermione. 'That was new. I almost never got erections, thank God. I don’t want to know what the Dursleys would do to me if they saw that!' He looked at her, and just saw a bottom covered in knickers, not sure where the problem was.

“Hermione” Harry said diffidently, “Can you point to the two stings? I don’t see them. Perhaps they are under your knickers?” he implored.

Hermione sobbed a bit, still looking away. She reached back and shoved her knickers down to mid thigh…giving Harry a partial view of her vulva between her thighs. She then pointed to the two stings, which now that the knickers were out of the way, were obvious by their red and swollen circles. They did look like large wasp stings. Ouch! Harry also saw a few hairs peeking from between her thighs, and things he couldn’t identify, at her core.

SNAP! SNAP! Hermione looked back at Harry, since he wasn’t helping her, and hearing the snap from his hair. She saw an obviously very embarrassed and aroused Harry, by the tent in his shorts...who was staring at her bits...or part of them anyway, with a small fire starting on his head.

She waved her wand, putting the fire out, and exclaimed "Harry! Stop looking at my bits, and treat my stings! Please!" she whined as she started crying.

Harry felt horrible. Here he was ogling her bits, and she was now crying in embarrassment and pain. He quickly took a dab of the ointment, and using a finger, rubbed it over each sting until both were gone. Hermione sighed when the pain finally vanished.

When Harry kept rubbing her bottom despite the pain being gone, Hermione reached back to swat his hand away. She then pulled up her knickers, and yanked her pajamas back up.

Harry couldn’t help continuing to look at her core while balming her. He also wasn't sure what he saw. His erection was already gone.

Hermione, not looking at Harry, got into bed and turned away from him just tightly holding her dragon. Harry embarrassingly got in bed behind her, knowing he had hurt her. Harry then scooted over until he was spooning her from behind and wrapped his arms around her in a gentle hug.

While holding her, he quietly but earnestly implored “I’m sorry Hermione. I never saw a girl’s bits before, and was curious and shocked by measures. I wasn’t trying to embarrass you, and I appreciate your trust. Forgive me…please?”

Hermione just pulled his arms tighter around her. “You are forgiven, but someday soon, you are letting me examine your bits…thoroughly!” she threatened.

Harry just snickered and hugged her more tightly, while kissing her head. “Whatever you want, Mine. Goodnight.” All was right with the world again. Harry relaxed.

“Goodnight, Harry.” They were both soon asleep, safe in each other’s arms.

4:45 was rough the next day. As soon as Harry woke Hermione up, she groaned at the pain in her muscles. They saw both of their PT uniforms laid out on the two chairs at Harry’s study desk. Harry brushed her hair out of her eyes and said, “Come on, I don’t want your bottom sting-hexed for being late. Let’s move it.”

Hermione just nodded, still exhausted. She was relieved to see the bra, she liked using for her PT, lying on tip. She pulled off her pajamas and pulled on her bra, which was fortunately cleaned. She blushed remembering Flitwick casting the support charm…but she didn’t know it yet, and didn’t feel right having his magic holding her breasts. Now Harry’s magic…and she glanced at Harry.

Harry was looking her direction as she bared her chest, but just looked away, when her breasts came into view. As he courteously looked away, Hermione suddenly realized, she wouldn’t have minded him looking at her. She just sighed.

Harry for his part, realized he had no interest in something she wasn’t offering. Once she wanted to show him her breasts, he would ogle, but not before. Hermione appreciated the gesture, but honestly was currently too tired and sore, to give it much thought.

Soon they were dressed and were attempting to find the court-yard. Luckily another student going to training came by, and collected them to get to class, just before 5am.

Professor Flitwick, showed up as bubbly as usual with more energy than he had a right to have. With a flick, he set Hermione’s hair to rights, and she put her cap on.

Harry and Hermione actually started to hate him a bit that day. Physical discipline was a disaster, as they both did significantly worse the second day than the first. Fortunately, Hermione wasn’t sting hexed as she never stopped trying. She just wasn’t succeeding, at all.

At the end of the class, once dismissed, Hermione just collapsed and broke down crying. Flitwick came over and rubbed her back while she cried, clutching to Harry again.

Flitwick stated confidently, “You are doing well Hermione. Your bodies need to adjust to this, and are currently healing as well as strengthening. Give it time. After two weeks you will see yourself running faster and farther than ever before, jumping higher, and you may be finishing one of the stations. Not master it, but finishing. I know you will not give up, as you have oathed yourself and you are a virtuous witch, but try to understand, I am not disappointed with your progress. Your lack of a sore bottom should attest to this. Hit the showers and get to breakfast, you two.” And Flitwick bounded away.

Harry and Hermione just looked at each other, and went to shower. Today was going to really suck.

Later that day was their first experience making potions. Again, the prefects escorted them to the potions lab and everyone was milling around the entrance. Like many of their classes, they were taking potions with Hufflepuff.

Susan and Hanna were looking at Harry and Hermione, and noticed their obvious exhaustion. Heck, they barely made it through lunch! The two came over and Susan asked timidly, “Are you two all right? You look beat.”

Hermione replied with a weak smile, “We are. Master Flitwick is giving us a crash course in control and discipline, because of our magic levels. It hurts…a lot.”

Both girls returned the weak smile, with ones of their own. Susan was low Sorceress, but neither were anywhere near the Magus level of these two. “Well, let us know if we can help." Susan promised. She then looked intently at Hermione like she was about to say something important, "I have seen Auror candidates during their initial PT weeks, and it does get better Hermione. Whatever you do, don’t stop! It will force you to start over…trust me on this,” she said intently, and they wandered away.

Hermione looked at Harry, and let out a big breath. “Well damn. That is exactly what I feared. Ah well.” She closed her eyes, wincing in pain. She then opened them, and looked in Harry’s eyes, intently. Hermione took a chance, and started reciting, “Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole…” and she looked to Harry with hope.

Harry didn't disappoint. With a grin, he put his head against hers and finished the line, “I thank whatever gods may be, For my unconquerable soul.”

Hermione with a sad smile continued, “In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud.”

Harry took her hand and recited, “Under the bludgeonings of chance, my head is bloody, but unbowed.”

Hermione then stated, “Beyond this place of wrath and tears, looms but the horror of the shade…”

Harry continued with a smile still holding her hand, “And yet the menace of the years, finds, and shall find, me unafraid.”

The other students were looking at them with some confusion and awe. No one recognized it, but the power of the sentiments, considering how beat these two looked…was potent. Their magic seemed to roll under their skin, as they held each other.

Hermione with a firm voice started the last stanza, “It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll.” She stated loudly.

Harry grinned, and together they said, “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.”

Harry said, “We will get through this, Mine.” And Hermione gave a tired smile back.

Snape smirked at two Ravenclaws quoting poetry to each other. Albus wanted them in Gryffindor, 'What an idiot.’ Snape thought. Snape then thought about the poem, and realized how apropos. He had seen Flitwick’s punishment class…and how he had voluntold these two firsties to take it. To learn to control their magic. Two days in, and the firsties weren’t giving up. Impressive.

Note: Invictus by William Ernest Henley

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

Snape came stalking up with his robes silently billowing. He approached with a scowl, and flicked his wand at the door, opening it. “Get in, we don’t have all day.” he coldly ordered. He stalked to the front of the lab, and once there, he spun around to watch the students entering. When he noticed Harry leading Hermione to seats in the middle of the lab, he ordered, “Not there, Heir Potter. Escort Miss Granger to these seats at this front right corner station.”

Harry looked puzzled, but snapped to attention, and courteously asked, “May I ask why, Professor?”

Snape noticed the bad attempt at attention, but replied with a frown. “Two reasons. You wear glasses, so I am assuming impaired vision. Therefore you will be in front, to better see the board. Second…the Potter luck has an area of effect.”

Harry looked confused, “The Potter Luck, sir?” he asked politely.

Severus raised his voice to almost be yelling, “Yes Heir Potter, the Potter Luck! It isn’t a fairy tale, but has affected many in your family’s long existence. Only twice in my life have I flubbed a potion, and both times your father was within 6 feet at the time! With you being a Magus, I shudder to think it's range with you! Now get to your assigned station! The two of you will be there all year. Understood?” Snape finished with the ominous undertones of someone who wishes a conversation concluded...or else.

Hermione and Harry snapped to attention “Yes Sir!” and immediately rushed over to their assigned spots.

Once everyone else had picked seats, Snape turned to the class. “You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don’t expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses…I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death…but only if you pay ATTENTION!” he ended with a roar.

Harry and Hermione jumped up at attention, “Sir!” they barked out.

Snape looked at them with slight irritation, “Sit down, you two. I understand Master Flitwick has you in his discipline class, but try to stay in your seats.” he ordered dryly.

Harry and Hermione blushed and sat back down, “Sorry Sir.”

Snape shook his head, and looked around the room, “What do I get when I add powered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?” Hermione raised her hand and started shaking it to get Master Snapes attention.

Master Snape ignored her for a time, but when she didn’t stop, he glared at her with a frown. “That will be 2 points from Ravenclaw, Miss Granger. I do not tolerate people raising their hand unless they have an intelligent and cogent question. I will call on those I feel need the…motivation to excel, so obviously will not pick someone who I think knows the answer!”

Hermione embarrassed, quickly pulled down her hand as she blushed. She quietly said, “Sorry sir.”

Still looking at Hermione, Snape’s eyes flicked to Harry. “Heir Potter, if you please.”

Harry stood up at attention, “Drought of living death sir! One of the six example potions diagrammed in the introductory chapter. Sir!” he then sat back down.

Snape rolled his eyes realizing this was never going to end. ’If Flitwick had them in that class for even a year, talking to Harry will be similar to how it was to talk to Lily’s father. Ah well.’ Still...with a nod to Harry, “2 points to Ravenclaw, Heir Potter.” He again looked around the room. “What is a Bezoar, and where do you find it?”

Hermione put her right hand in her robes, and pulled out two round objects. She placed on the table in front of her. Snape noticed, and then looked to the back of the room. “Miss Abbott?”

Bashfully there was a quiet “I don’t know sir.” From the back of the room.

Snape shook his head and said “Minus 2 points, Hufflepuff. Can any Hufflepuff get them back?”

Susan with an apologetic look at her friend, stood up. “It’s a universal antidote for most poisons and potioning mistakes. It is found in the stomach of a goat and should be kept in the potion classroom.”

Snape frowned, “1 point to Hufflepuff, for slight inaccuracy. You should never enter a potions lab without a bezoar in your pocket. This was mentioned in the introductory chapter. How many of you have one? Raise your hand if you have one.”

No hands went up. Snape waited a second, then glared at Hermione. “Why did you not raise your hand, Miss Granger?”

Hermione stood up, “Two reasons sir! One: you specifically told me not to raise my hand unless I had a good question.”

Snape nodded, “And the other?”

With a smirk she answered, “I don’t have one bezoar…I have two.”

Snape with an answering smirk, “Minus two points for your cheek, Miss Granger. Plus 10 points for being the only prepared student in class. Why pray tell, do you have two?”

Hermione didn’t say anything, but her eyes flickered over to Harry.

“Sit down, Miss Granger” he then shook his head, ’Damn Potter Foible!’ he thought. “Another question, what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?”

Hermione’s hand stared shooting up, until Harry poked her in her side and she quickly dropped it. Snape gave a slight smile and ignored her. “I tire of this, does anyone know the answer besides Miss Granger?” Harry shifted in his seat looking intently at Master Snape.

Master Snape noticed and gave him a chance, “Heir Potter, if you please.”

Harry stood up to attention, “They are both aconite, and I suspect only differ in advanced potioning.” Harry sat back down.

Snape nodded, “Exactly so, Heir Potter. 3 points.” Snape then looked to the class, “I find myself disappointed that the two who are being worked to death by Master Flitwick were the only ones who appear to have completed their homework. Quite the opposite from my expectations. We will see if the rest of you simply concentrated on the brewing recipe. Get busy!”

Harry quietly said, “I will clean the equipment. You get the ingredients.” And Harry started thoroughly scrubbing their combined equipment. Once she returned, Harry suggested, “Start crushing the snake fangs. Remember for the potion to be quality, the fangs need to be a fine powder and that will take time. I will keep cleaning.”

Hermione nodded and started crushing the fangs. About 15 minutes into this, Snape came by, “Why have the two of you not started brewing yet?”

Hermione replied, “Sir, Harry is still cleaning the equipment. It was unforgivably dirty. I’m still crushing the fangs. There is no point to starting the potion, until these jobs are completed. Sir!”

Snape nodded, “Appropriate response. Continue.” And he stalked away.

As Hermione was slowly adding the quills while the potion was off the heat, Harry noticed Susan about to start adding quills with the potion still on the burner. Harry yelled, “Stop Susan! Remove it from the fire first, or it could explode!”

Susan was able to stop herself at the last second and Hanna yanked the caldron off the heat only spilling a small amount. With a gasp of relief, she exclaimed “Thank you, Heir Potter.” Harry nodded and immediately returned to monitoring the temperature for Hermione. Snape went over to Susan’s station and flipped the page of her Potions text to the big box warning against doing exactly what she did, tapping it loudly.

Snape called out, “2 point progressive award, Mr. Potter. Nicely done.”

Harry glanced up “Sir?”

Snape replied, “A progressive award is used when you may have caused your project weakness or failure worrying about others instead of your own work. In short, your award will depend on the grade of your potion. 6 points for Outstanding down to two for Acceptable. No points for a failing grade. Got it?”

“Yes Sir!” Harry turned to Hermione, “Lets go Hermione! We have 6 additional points we can earn!” Harry replied excitedly.

Severus smiled to himself, ’Firsties were such fun.' he thought.

Shortly, the two finished their potion and beakered it. Master Snape came over and examined it. “Near-perfect. Outstanding and an additional 6 points."

Harry yelled ‘Yes!” and held up his hand for Hermione who slapped it with a grin.

Snape gave a short smile, “Clean your station. QUIETLY! And leave.” Before he turned away to monitor the others.

They quickly cleaned their station, and left in the best mood they have been in, for the last two days. It was now time for afternoon training. Ah well.

Harry and Hermione had changed back into their training uniforms, and entered their study room. At precisely 3pm, Flitwick came in, and quickly made the bean chairs. “Meditate” he ordered.

The lesson was better than the morning, but they still didn’t do as well as the previous day. They were both drenched with sweat at the end of class, and exhausted. Again, Flitwick jumped up and cancelled the chairs.

This time when the chairs vanished, they both crashed to the ground and moaned piteously. Harry was forcing himself up, but Hermione seemed incapable of doing so. Flitwick sighed, “All right, time to go to the infirmary. Follow me.”

Harry helped Hermione to get up, and they both struggled to keep up with Flitwick. When they came out of the room, there were many students waiting to go to dinner, so most of Ravenclaw saw just how beat the two were. There were many sympathetic looks from other students as everyone know just how harsh a task-master, Master Flitwick could be.

Master Flitwick took the two down and over to the infirmary. Healer Pomfrey took one look at the two of them, “Oh my goodness! Filius really?” she turned back to the students, “What is the problem?”

Harry with a worried glance at Hermione, replied “Miss Granger here needs something for tight and pulled muscles. She isn’t used to exerting like this, and needs to loosen up before training tomorrow morning. She is in unbelievable pain!” he professed emotionally.

Hermione then glared at Harry and yelled, “Mr. Potter here has been abused his whole life! You need to look at his back, NOW!”

Poppy with a flick of her wrist switched Harry’s top off and looked at his back, “Oh my goodness! Who did this?” she exclaimed.

Hermione replied with heat, “Dumbledore keeps him with magic-hating muggles. Ask him!” she loudly accused.

Poppy gave Hermione an angry look at her rude comment. Hermione didn’t lessen her glare for one second, under Poppy’s withering stare. Poppy then noticed the marks going below the pants, and switched off those as well. Harry was then bare. Harry yelped and cupped his manhood while turning away.

Fortunately, Hermione was still glaring at Poppy, so wasn’t looking at Harry until he Yelped. She only caught a glimpse of his front before he covered it and turned away. Unfortunately, that brought Harry’s bottom into view. On seeing it so abused, and this time not in a reflection, Hermione let out a sob. The damage was in excruciatingly vivid detail, and Hermione quickly pulled Harry into a hug, from behind, trying to comfort him…and herself.

“I’m so sorry Harry.” Hermione sobbed, “I’m trying to be strong for you, but I can’t understand how anyone would abuse a child like this!”

Harry felt Hermione’s distress, and for the first time, someone was hugging him to comfort him for what the Dursley’s did, instead of ignoring him. He turned in her arms, and hugged Hermione tightly against him. “Its OK, Hermione. Do you know how special you are? No one. NO ONE, ever cared what the Dursleys and Dumbledore did to me. While I’m with you, all that vanishes. I believe I can fly!” and he just continued to hold her tightly.

Poppy looked at Filius with an expressionless Slytherin mask in place. However, there was a tear which fell from her right eye belying the calm. Filius just looked back, coldly furious…but finally shook his head no. Neither could successfully confront Dumbledore at this time.

Poppy turned back to the two kids, and seeing Hermione hugging Harry bare, summoned a towel. She handed it to Harry, “Clutch this to your manhood young man. Then lie town on the table, face down.”

Hermione realizing she was clutching onto a boy unclothed, jumped back, but couldn’t help glancing down.

Harry on seeing the direction of her eyes, shoved the towel against himself, “HERMIONE!” he exclaimed loudly, as he blushed down to his chest.

Hermione tightly closed her eyes, and exclaimed “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I only caught a glance and didn’t see much at all."

Harry yelled, “Hey!” at the unexpected insult.

Hermione opened her eyes in surprise, and looked in his beseechingly “THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT!” she cried out, with tears starting to form.

Harry sighed and used one hand to pull her back into the hug. “I’m sorry…it’s just…well, you know.”

Hermione giggled through her tears, but settled down in Harry’s arms. “Very eloquent, Mr. Potter. Am I forgiven?” she asked hopefully.

Harry sighed and with a grin replied, “Yes you are forgiven, Mine.” He then gently pushed her away, still protecting his privates and lay down on the table, face-down.

Poppy watched the exchange and everything was normal…except for them being way too new in their relationship to be acting this way. ’Damn Potter Foible!’ she thought to herself. ’What a double-edged curse.’ She then scanned Harry and noticed literally hundreds of injuries speaking to overt systematic abuse. ’Where they trying to make an Obscurus? Heir Potter certainly has the power to survive it.’ She shook her head not wanting to contemplate such a possibility.

After a thorough exam, where she also had Harry turn over. Harry was able to protect his modesty, by keeping the towel over his groin. She said to him, “I have a potions regimen for you. You will take these seven potions on getting up and going to bed every day. You will drink each flask dry every time. It will refill. When you have received enough of any potion, it will no longer refill. These potions will catch you up on your stunted growth. You have been starved most of your life and your organs have suffered extensive damage. However, you are just young enough that we should be able to repair the damage. Expect to grow about a foot, and double your weight. With Master Flitwick’s physical training your body will be sore for the next 4 months…at least, but we should have everything done by Winter Solstice…or slightly thereafter. Do you understand?”

Harry was very relieved, listening to her treatment plan. He didn’t want anything to interfere with getting his body fixed, so would follow the directions exactly. With obvious joy, Harry answered “Yes ma’am! Drink each potion completely twice a day. Continue until the vial no longer refills. I will really grow a foot? I will no longer be stunted?” he asked hopefully.

Poppy smiled, “Yes Heir Potter. You should recover nicely…though it will hurt.”

Hermione looked at her, “So…this will heal Harry completely? Like it never happened?”

Poppy smiled again, “Yes! Everything but that damned curse scar should vanish!” She then paused a second. “We should also be able to repair his eyesight, too. There is a reason no one is wearing glasses…well without curse damage.” She then glanced at the scar on his forehead. “We will see.”

Hermione bit her lip and looked worryingly at Harry.

Harry looked back and noticing her distress asked quietly, “What, Mine?”

Hermione then after looking sympathetically at Harry, looked back at Pomfrey and stated, “We need official pictures and records of the damage Dumbledore caused to his body! I don’t want him to deny it, or minimize it in the future once it’s healed!”

Harry looked surprised at Hermione, with an expression of betrayal and horror. “NO! I don’t want everyone to see me as a FREAK!”

Hermione hugged him, “Harry! This will show what he did to you. We need proof so you can get justice. So we can do something about those damned books!”

Harry mumbled, “I just want to get better. To be normal.” Almost too quiet to hear.

“Harry…this will keep Dumbledore from putting you with someone else like the Dursleys! We need this to protect you! Master Pomfrey will keep them safe in your official medical record, and otherwise, only you will have a copy. This way, you can show the pictures if you want, instead of stripping off!”

Harry looked at her, and realized she was correct. He eventually nodded.

Poppy went and got a camera so she could take pictures. She had Harry hold the towel to his groin and took pictures of his front, as well as pictures of his bare backside. She even had Hermione look away and took a few without the towel. She took many pictures with close ups of his emaciated condition, and the many scars. It was really horrific.

Once done taking the pictures, Poppy said, “I will have them developed and sealed officially as a Master Healer. That will make them legal documents. Otherwise, I will provide a copy to you Heir Potter if you so desire.”

Harry nodded again, as Hermione held him.

“Now to your treatment.” And she handed him two ointments. “The red lid ointment is for your scars. You will have Hermione rub it into the scars every night before bed. It will take a month or two, but most of the scars should vanish…unlike the curse scar over your eye. In fact, do that one too, as it may shrink as well. The Blue ointment is for muscle tightness. Rub it into effected muscle groups to provide relief. Stretch those muscles to loosen them back up…especially over the next few months while you grow so much. After a few months, you may no longer be required to do it daily as your body will adjust to the new activity level, but the forced growth of the potions could have you still need it. Get dressed.”

Harry then started replacing his clothes. Poppy then turned to Hermione and with a flick, she was bare. Hermione looked down and squeaked, trying to cover up.

Harry glanced up to see what was wrong, but instantly turned away and continued getting dressed, after catching a glance of her bare.

Hermione glared at Poppy with a look which said, ‘You did that on purpose.’ She grabbed the towels Poppy offered and lay down on the bed using a towel to cover her derrière, and pressing her breasts into the table. She then said, “It’s safe to look now, Harry.”

Harry had finished putting on his slacks and looked up nodding with relief. He then finished getting dressed while Poppy examined Hermione. Once she completed her exam she said, “All right your health is adequate. I will give you two potions to take at bedtime to shore up your strength, promote healing, and help with your nutrition. You will gain some muscle mass with the work Master Flitwick is putting you through. Keep taking them until told otherwise…certainly until completely done with your puberty and settle into your adult form. You also will use the blue lid ointment.”

And Poppy replaced the jar Harry was holding, with a significantly larger one. “Have Harry rub it into the effected muscle groups. Like him, spend time immediately stretching them back out or the ointment will not accomplish much. Understand?”

Hermione said, “Yes ma’am.”

Poppy with a look in her eye said, “Alright, stand up for your pictures.”

Hermione blushed, “Excuse me?!”

Poppy replied with a straight face. “You will also significantly change under Filius’ daily tutelage and your potion regimen. Don’t you think some before pictures would be appropriate for you too?”

Hermione held her towel to her groin and said, “Fine! Though I don’t see why you are embarrassing me! We need those pictures of Harry!”

She then stood up and glared at Poppy. “Well? Take the pictures!” and threw down her towels, also glaring at Harry, “Don’t you look!” she was gratified to see Master Flitwick was also looking away, out of respect.

Poppy then took pictures of Hermione, front and back before motioning for her to get dressed.

Hermione huffed and grumbled under her breath about healers with a point to make…and how embarrassing the ‘mirror technique’ really was.

Once in her underwear, Poppy handed Hermione another potion. "Drink this, you will need a dose each month. It will protect you from pregnancy and make your menses much less crampy. All the witches are on it."

After drinking the potion and making a face at the taste, Hermione reached for her clothes, but sniffed, “What about showers?”

Poppy flicked the two of them and Hermione immediately noted she now smelled of lilac. “A modified scourgify charm. It will get you to bed time. Both of you will need to take showers before using the ointment to avoid developing body acne.”

Hermione and Harry glanced at each other in worry.

Poppy sighed, “What child? We can’t help if you don’t tell us what’s wrong.”

Hermione blushed to her roots, “I…well since you gave us the ointment, you know we sleep together. We need a table to massage/treat each other nightly, but...is there a way to avoid having to traipse down and up to get to the girl showers? It is rather embarrassing especially in the state of dress to go to a shower.”

Poppy looked at Flitwick who nodded. He then said, “I will deal with it tonight” Flitwick turned to Poppy, “Can you give me one of your treatment tables? I will set that up tonight as well.”

Poppy then flicked her wand and called a sturdy wooden massage table, with impermeability, durability, and comfort charms on it. Flitwick then nodded and with a flick of his wand, shrunk in down before putting it in a pocket.

He turned to the two. “Get to dinner you two. I will see you in Harry’s room at 8.” He then nodded to Poppy and walked away while Hermione hurried to finish dressing.

Chapter Text

Chapter 6

At dinner, all of Ravenclaw was watching them. No student could remember any firsties earning continuous punishment duty, certainly not in their first week! They were told this was necessary to get their magic under control, but these two looked like they were being brutalized!

Halfway through dinner Padma handed a present to Hermione. “Here Hermione. I did promise.” Hermione gave a big sigh, and a tired smile to Padma. She opened the present and inside was a wooden hair brush and two bottles. Sleekeasy Hair straightener by Potter Apothecary. Both the shampoo and the conditioner.

With a sob Hermione hugged Padma tightly. “Thank you so much Padma! How do I use it?” she asked gratefully.

Padma with a smile replied, “Yank a hair out by the root for each bottle. Make sure you see the living root. That is necessary for the potions to work best. Then cut that off an inch from the root and stuff one in each bottle. Shake well. Use only a dab from each once every three showers…which with you being worked so hard is daily.” she said cringing slightly. She then handed Hermione a parchment with instructions on it and the order form to buy more haircare products. Awesome!

Hermione looked at the parchment, the brush, and the bottles and broke down crying.

Padma suddenly worried, asked “What’s wrong, Hermione?”

Hermione looked at Padma with tears in her eyes, “I have never had a bestie in my life! While Harry owns my soul, do you think we could be friends, even best friends?” she asked hopefully.

Padma’s face lit up in joy. “I would like that. I would like that a lot…bestie.” And the two hugged crying happily.

Harry had butt out and was glad he did. Hermione deserved everything…certainly a reliable and trustworthy bestie. He sighed in contentment, feeling the happiness from Hermione.

Harry and Hermione ate quickly and quietly, though Hermione did try to run a conversation with Padma with very little success. Both Harry and Hermione were ravenous and exhausted. Once done eating Hermione rested her head against Harry, for just a second, and was fast asleep with a slight cute nose whistle. Harry just brushed her hair out of her face with a look of such…'it didn’t make sense! They were too young! Teenagers played, but how could they be in love? Did the most famous curse in England really work this way?' many in Ravenclaw wondered.

After about an hour, it was coming on 8pm, Harry gently jostled Hermione awake, and with a sad smile she allowed Harry to help her to stand. They painfully walked away. Ravenclaw just watched the two, not having a clue how to deal with it.

After they wandered away, Cho snarked “So your bestie, blows you off the first day. Good choice, Patil!” she finished crowing.

Padma just looked at her, “Well, we can all see why you aren’t Slytherin!” she stated with obvious disgust.

Cho looked confused, “What?”

“You are about as subtle as a Gryffindor. A word of advice! Don’t let everyone know you are a complete bitch, the first week of term!” and she got up storming off. The table was still laughing at Cho, as Padma walked out of the hall.

Flitwick soon joined them in Harry’s room. He started flicking his wand, and the room changed. The room was made larger with a double-size bed now in place. A second desk was placed next to Harry’s, so both could work together, the massage table was set up in a corner for treatment, and another door was added to the wall.

Flitwick looked at Harry, “Try to go through that door.”

Harry approached the door and opened it without problems. Once the door was open, he felt a buzzing from the door. As soon as his hand reached through the door, a sting-hex zapped it. Harry immediately pulled it back and shook the pain out, looking disapproving at Master Flitwick.

Flitwick without a care for Harry’s outcome, turned to Hermione “Now you try, Miss Granger. You should be safe as that’s your room. Isn’t it?”

Hermione approached the door, and saw Puffy on her bed. With a small exclaim, she stuck a finger through, and when she wasn't zapped, ran into the room where her stuff was located. “Wow Sir! This is great! I can use this as a dressing room and access to the girl’s shower! Thank You!” Hermione exclaimed with more energy that she has shown for a while.

She came back through and pulled Flitwick into a big hug. Flitwick stiffened for a moment, but relaxed and gently patted her on the back. “That enough, Hermione. Your sentiments are appreciated, however.” He looked at the two. “We are trusting the two of you, immensely. I hope you both understand that certain experimentation is prohibited, until the appropriate age. If you betray this trust, you will be separated. Potter Foible or not.” he warned with a very serious look to his face.

Harry looked back at Master Flitwick, “I understand, Sir.” He then looked at Hermione, and while watching her, his eyes filled with wonder. “I am not so stupid as to let curiosity compel me to do something ahead of schedule, when my reward for waiting an appropriate time is so obvious…and spectacular. She is safe with me…and from me.” he vowed. He then looked back at Flitwick, “So Mote It!” and there was a rush of magic, signifying a true oath, as he looked back at Hermione again.

Hermione just looked in Harry’s eyes, and melted. She hugged Harry and ordered with a smile, “Go shower. We both need to massage each other, and rub the balm into your scars.” Harry nodded and started stripping off for his shower, Hermione walked through to her room and did the same.

Flitwick noted she never bothered to close the door. He nodded to himself. Trust and Honor, were not just words to a Duende warrior. The fact these two understood those concepts so well, just made them even more worthy of his attention. He nodded again and left.

Soon Hermione was in her bath robe, with a towel wrapped around her wet hair. She stepped into Harry’s room and saw him getting himself onto the table. He had a towel on, covering him like a short skirt as he wincingly laid himself down. Hermione, after watching him settle himself, asked in a fair imitation of her Mum, “Did you take your night potions yet?”

Harry glanced up at her, "No. I don’t know what they will do to me, so am waiting until the massage is over.” He then grinned, “I know you won’t let me forget…Mum.”

Hermione giggled at the ‘Mum’ and soon started rubbing the scar ointment into his back. It took a while, as his back was covered with scars…until she reached the towel. “Um…Harry…could you uncover your bottom? That needs the most help.”

Harry just grunted and reached back undoing the towel. It fell away uncovering his bottom. Hermione with a quiet sob, gently rubbed the ointment into the scars on his bottom, and down his thighs. She treated every scar, realizing there were well over 50, maybe as many as 100. Once finished she ordered, “Turn over.”

Harry turned over clutching the towel to his groin, and leaving it there. He them moved his hands out of the way and Hermione dabbed the many scars on his front, finishing with rubbing a bit into his forehead. That one definitely seemed different. She started to realize, a curse scar was something else entirely.

Hermione then took the Blue lid ointment, scooped out a generous portion, and started rubbing it into his chest.

Harry groaned quietly, "That feels wonderful, Mine. Don't stop."

Hermione smiled and worked on rubbing it in to all the muscles in his shoulders, before stretching him back out. He winced as he was stretched, but once done, the pain was gone and he smiled up at her. She then worked each joint and muscle group. She had a basic idea, and just did it where she hurt the most…well except for those groin muscles. She didn’t want to get that close to his penis…not yet anyway.

Once done with his front, Hermione instructed, “Turn over again.” Harry grunted and just turned over. Hermione then worked each group on his back, arms, and legs, before finishing with his bottom.

After a while of Hermione deep massaging his gluts, Harry shifted uncomfortably, “Please stop now, Hermione,” Harry implored, sounding like he was in pain.

Worried that she might have hurt Harry, Hermione stopped and asked with concern “What’s wrong?”

Harry shifted uncomfortably, before he reached under himself, down below his waist, and raised his hips, moving something. He then explained, “Well nothing…but something is starting to change in my groin, and I am positive this is one of those areas we are leaving for later.”

Hermione blushed to her roots, realizing Harry had just moved his penis to a new position…likely because it became hard. She suddenly realized a boy…her Harry, became hard because of her! “Put your pajamas on and I’ll be back!” Hermione frantically ordered, then bolted from the room.

Harry was ashamed and disgusted with himself. Hermione was obviously offended, because he got hard in front of her! He thought of anything but Hermione, and his impending reaction went away. He then quickly dressed in his warm weather pajamas. Harry went over to the door and cautiously called, out, “Hermione? Are you OK? I’m dressed now…and its soft again. Sorry to have offended you. I would stop it…but don’t know how.” he said morosely.

Hermione then came back looking embarrassed. She saw the sad look on Harry’s face, glanced down and didn’t see anything trying to poke out, then ran into his arms. “I’m sorry Harry! That shocked me! After the talk my mother gave me this summer, I understand the physiological and anatomic changes to the spongiosa of your penis, but honestly didn’t expect any boy to have such a reaction to me.” She finished quietly.

Harry hugged her tightly, then pushed her away to look in her eyes. “I’m sorry my penis scared and offended you. You have no idea how beautiful you are to me. I will try to learn to control it.” And Harry looked morose and ashamed now.

Hermione tried to look in his eyes, but Harry was looking away, obviously unwilling to look at her. Hermione cried out, “NO!”

Harry looked at her confused, but didn’t say anything, then looked down in shame.

Hermione grabbed his chin, “Harry, look at me.” she ordered.

After a moment, Harry looked up with eyes full of self-recrimination and loathing.

Hermione teared up, “You did nothing wrong! I was just startled and shocked. I have never dreamed a boy would want me that way…I figured they would sex me when their need was too great, but mainly use me for my brains.” She then admitted, “No boy would really want to sex me, if they had a chance with another, prettier girl.” her voice filled with deep shame too.

Harry looked angry as his expression changed from self-loathing to fury, “I’m not settling for you.” Harry loudly insisted, “I’m not rushing to a mistake. In my bones, I know you are the love of my life, and the mother of my children. I have zero doubt. What do I have to do to convince you?” he exclaimed.

Hermione just sighed and hugged him tighter. “Keep saying wonderful things like that certainly helps. Maybe you will need to spank me, I don’t know.” she said uncertainly.

Harry abruptly pushed her away, “NO!”

Hermione looked in Harry’s eyes, suddenly concerned. “What’s wrong Harry?”

With utter conviction, Harry replied, “I will never hit you. I will never hit our children. I…can’t….not after the way I was raised. If our children need a discipline spanking, their mother will have to do it, because I can’t.”

Hermione with a giggle, “So…wait until your mother gets home?”

Harry snorted and hugged her again, “Exactly. Now get on the table and we will see if I can do half as good a job on you, as you did on me.”

Hermione giggled again and asked, “Please turn around.” Harry turned around without a second thought.

Seeing that Harry was not looking, Hermione then dropped her bathrobe and lay, face down with a towel covering her bottom. “OK Harry, I’m ready.”

Harry turned back around, to find Hermione face down on the massage table with a towel protecting her bottom, otherwise bare. He nodded and took out the ointment. He then started working on her neck. Hermione after a few seconds groaned in abject pleasure at Harry’s hands rubbing her, and Harry felt a stirring down below. He shook his hips and it soon settled back down, before he sighed and continued the massage.

Once finishing her neck and shoulders, he moved onto her back for a while before moving to her arms, and eventually legs. Once done with everything he could reach outside her covered zone, he asked, “Um Hermione?”

Hermione just pulled the towel off and a second later opened her legs before jamming the towel against her groin and closing them. All in an attempt to cover her privates. Except for the eyeful she gave Harry when she opened her legs unexpectedly to put the towel in, she was successful. Harry…the new anatomy he had never seen before, burning into his memory, tried not to think about it, and spent a while properly massaging her Glutes. Hermione was purring by the end.

Once done with her bum, Harry ordered “Turn over.” And he turned away to give her privacy to adjust.

Harry heard her move around, until she eventually said, “I’m ready now.”

Harry turned to find Hermione was now supine, with the towel jammed between her legs covering her bits effectively, and another towel covering her nipples too. Harry grunted and went back to work, fortunately able to avoid what was under the thin cloth. Soon he was done.

Harry turned away. “All done. Get in your pajamas, drink your potions, and join me in bed, Mrs. Potter.”

“Harry!” exclaimed Hermione, while quickly sitting up and clutching the towel to her breasts. “Don’t say such things while I am undressed, unless you want to embarrass me! Please!” she exclaimed, and she bolted from the room.

A couple of minutes later she was back wearing her ridiculous footie pajamas and clutching Puffy tightly to her chest. ’She is nervous tonight.’ Harry realized. Harry drank his potions, and they weren’t as bad as he feared. He went to the bed and raised the covers for Hermione. She joined him and snuggled into his body, turning away from him. She scooted back until her back was pressed to his front. She was still clutching her pet dragon, tightly.

Harry gently and lovingly kissed her head, while he wrapped his arms around her “Goodnight, mine.”

“Goodnight Puffy…you too, Harry.” Harry just rumbled against her back and was soon asleep. Hermione stayed awake a while longer listening to Harry’s heartbeat, and enjoying him holding her to him, tightly. Despite her nervousness, his possessive holding of her, unexpectedly calmed Hermione. She fell asleep enjoying the scent that was all Harry.

The next day saw an improvement in their training. With the start of their soon-to-be nightly massages, the pain of stretching and the loss of sleep fell away. They were actually healing now and getting stronger and faster. Hermione still failed to complete any of the stations, but she had climbed back to what she was doing the first day. Flitwick nodded in approval and kept them going.

That morning was transfiguration. Again, the firsties were escorted to the classroom and told to get in while their Prefects went to their own classes. Harry and Hermione grabbed two seats in front. The classroom was unremarkable except for a cat sitting on the teacher’s desk. Harry looked at the cat and murmured to himself, “Where have I seen this cat. I swear I’ve seen it before.”

The cat immediately looked at his face as if asking a question, and Harry kept staring in its eyes. Finally, the cat looked away and started bathing itself. Shortly the Gryffindors came in making a great deal of noise. Harry and Hermione were both going over the second chapter, having already studied the first.

Soon Ron came in, and purposefully sat next to Harry. “Hey Mate! How are you doing, with those boring book-loving Ravenclaws?” he loudly asked.

Harry looked up for a second, raised an eyebrow, and then without saying anything, turned back to his reading.

There was some snickering around the room as Ron was brushed off. Ron then poked Harry, was ignored, and poked him again.

Harry grabbed Ron’s poking arm and pulled it while he slammed Ron’s head down on the table. While pressing Ron’s face into his table, Harry In a very dangerous voice, said “Mr. Weasley we are not mates. We will never be mates. You are a bully, and a stupid one at that. Those bastards Dumbledore placed me with, beat me, starved me, and worked me since I was five. Do you want to know who the worst one was? Their son. An oafish idiot who would not leave me alone, especially at school. He always hung around me, poking me, hurting me, driving away anyone who would be my friend. You remind me of him.”

Harry then threw Ron to the floor, “Piss off, Mr. Weasley. If you touch me again, I will return the favor. You won’t enjoy that.” He threatened.

Ron scrambled up with his ears bright red. He hunted in his pocket for his wand.

Harry and Hermione had their wands instantly in their hands and pointing at Ron’s eyes. Flitwick had placed wand holsters on their wrists, as part of their ‘uniforms’ and told them to wear them at all times. He also worked them hard in their proper use.

Once his wand was pointing at Ron, Harry said “Master Flitwick works us to the bone every day to teach us to avoid hurting innocents…somehow, I don’t think that includes you. Go for it if you dare, let’s see what your Head of House, has taught you.”

At this point the cat jumped down to the floor and McGonagall was suddenly in its place, landing. “That will be enough. Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, put up your wands!” she ordered.

Harry didn’t move, “He is still trying to attack me. Stop him first!” Harry demanded.

McGonagall turned to see Ron starting to pull out his wand. “Stop! Mr. Weasley! What do you think you are doing?”

Ron yelled at McGonagall, “He attacked me! Everyone saw him! I have the right to defend myself!”

Harry said to Hermione in a stage whisper heard around the room, “Why is it, every bully is a coward and a liar too?” There was much tittering, strangely enough, loudest from the Gryffindors.

McGonagall turned to Harry with anger, “That will be 5 points from Ravenclaw!”

Harry challenged, “What for? Telling the truth? He admitted to me, his mother wanted him my friend as a favor to Dumbledore. The same Dumbledore who had me tortured by muggles. Perhaps you know something about that?” Harry turned to Ron so didn’t see the surprise on her suddenly pale face, or the dilation in her eyes, but Hermione did, and was glaring at McGonagall with open hostility for what it implied. Harry then continued, “He bullied me right in front of you, yet only I lost points…why am I not surprised. Dumbledore is a Gryffindor after all.”

McGonagall turned from Harry and yelled at Ron, “Go sit over there!” pointing to the other side of the room. “That will be 5 points from you too, and a detention for disrupting my class!”

McGonagall turned back to Harry, “Better, Mr. Potter?” Harry just shrugged and said nothing going back to his book. She winced to herself, ’This was not going well, not well at all. And that crack about the Dursleys? Did they really abuse him? His hate for Albus is very real. Oh Morgana, He knows Albus placed him there, and obviously holds him responsible! Who told him?’ she thought worriedly.

McGonagall started by going over the rules of transfiguration and gave a couple of examples. Harry and Hermione paid close attention. Soon it was time for the students to try and turn matchsticks into needles. Hermione looked at her matchstick and closed her eyes. She then whispered “Acusignis” and with an audible pop, the matchstick was an exact copy of her grandmother’s sewing needle.

McGonagall immediately came over at the loud pop. You never knew what a high sorceress would do in these early months. ’Oh wow, that is absolutely perfect.’ “Nicely done Miss Granger, 2 points for the first transfiguration of the year. Now turn it back and forth in practice.” She then moved to help other students.

Hermione turned to Harry. “Use your meditation and build a needle there. Then simply force your magic into it,” she instructed.

Harry then called his magic and was trying to think of a needle. Unexpectedly, the last needle he ever wanted to see, intruded on his thoughts. Suddenly there was a surge of magic, and with a loud crack, a bent dull large needle about 5 inches long appeared. There was dried blood on it. With an exclamation, “NO!” Harry cast the needle away. It landed at McGonagall’s feet. She reached down and picked it up. She shuddered looking at the wicked thing. There was a small barb at the tip…and with all the dried blood, ’What nightmare created this?’ she wondered.

She looked up and saw Harry standing, having stepped back from his table. Harry’s eyes were wide open, and his face was frozen in abject terror. She also saw the matchstick there to be transfigured. ’Oh Morgana! This was a conjuration!’ Minerva then cast ‘Finite’ and nothing happened. She released her magic, and forcing her magic she stated loudly, “Finite Incantatem!” and the needle slowly turned to smoke and faded away.

Harry was moments from losing it. The whole room started to groan at the magical pressure pouring out of him. “Miss Granger!” Hermione looked her direction with hostility…no matter. “Get him to the infirmary and a calming draught into him. Go now!” Hermione came to Harry and touched him carefully. Harry jumped away, but didn’t strike out. Harry looked ready to strike out at anything.

Hermione raised her hand to him again and called out “Harry!” no response, “My everything!” she exclaimed in distress, putting her hand gently on his arm.

Harry looked at her, finally seeing her. “Mine!” he sobbed clutching onto Hermione. The room groaned alarmingly as the pressure continued to build.

Hermione grabbed his face and turned it to look in her eyes. She started to recite, trying to project her calm and love into Harry.

“If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, compare with me ye women if you can. I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold, or all the riches that the East doth hold. My love is such that rivers cannot quench, nor ought but love from thee give recompense. Thy love is such I can no way repay; the heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love let’s so persever, that when we live no more we may live ever.”

Harry had slowly calmed down listening to her declare her love for him, and was now just crying while looking in her eyes.

Hermione said consolingly, “Let’s get you out of here!”

The pressure in the room had faded away, while Harry listened to her. In a calmer voice, Harry said, “OK Mine. I didn’t recognize that one. Did you write it?” Tears still running down his blotchy face, but he was over his panic attack.

Hermione exclaimed with a soft smile, “I wish I did. That was Anne Bradstreet, To My Dear and Loving Husband. I thought it appropriate,” she admitted.

Harry looked at her, “I wish I were your husband. I want nothing more, in this world.” He oathed quietly.

With such devotion, Hermione said, “I will never let you go. You know that.” She then smiled, “So you better take me to wife before we start having children, or my parents will be very cross with you,” and she escorted Harry out while he snorted at her jest.

McGonagall just looked after them for a few minutes before she tried to get the class back on track. It really wasn’t successful. Harry was moments from destroying the room, and possibly everyone in it. After all, a Magus had just conjured a torture implement in his first day of transfiguration…and looking in his eyes, it was easy to see on who it was used. ’Oh Albus, this is going to be very bad.’ she thought.

Chapter Text

Chapter 7

After another brutal magical discipline class, where Flitwick worked them on self-control…but made no mention of Transfiguration class, the two were going to dinner with the other students. Harry and more significantly Hermione, were slowly adjusting to the routine.

Once Harry convinced Hermione he was fine, and wanted her to socialize, she started happily chatting away with Padma, who was properly introducing her to the other girls of Ravenclaw. Hermione had never been accepted, much less the center of attention, so was having the time of her life.

Harry just smiled, happily basking in her enjoyment. Harry after a moment, started a conversation with Anthony. Anthony and the other Ravenclaws didn’t bring up transfiguration. They weren’t sure what would make Harry terrified, but realized they did NOT want to know, or more importantly, trigger a relapse.

Once dinner was nearly complete, Ron sauntered over with Dean at his side. “Hey midget! You got me detention my first week, before you ran off like a crying baby! Not even the twins were given detention their first week! You owe me!” he taunted.

Harry who was having a fun conversation with Anthony about the different wizard games, just looked up with a frown, “The only thing I may owe you, is an education.” He replied coldly, “The problem is, I do believe you have too few brain-cells, to actually learn from it. While I would seriously enjoy thumping you, and casting you in the dirt again, what would be the point? You appear to be too stupid to learn.” The Ravenclaws always enjoyed an intelligent put-down, and Harry was not disappointing them. They were openly laughing at his comment.

Ron’s ears turned red with anger. “Just as I thought! Fights like a dirty muggle! What about a proper wizard’s duel? Tonight, wands-only, no contact, trophy room. Be there.” he loudly ordered.

Hermione, like everyone else nearby at the table, was listening. On Ron’s challenge, she was again whispering in Harry's ear. Harry listened for a few seconds then looked at Ron. “For a supposed educated wizard, you are as half-assed with protocol, as you are with your barn-yard dinner habits. As the challenger you initiate the challenge. Then as the challenged, I initiate MY preference for the duel. Since neither of us knows enough magic for a proper wizard’s duel, I pick boxing…DEFINITE contact intended.” Harry paused and stage whispered to Ron, “This is where you name the time and place...fool.” Everybody laughed at Ron again.

Ron now furious, yelled, “Midnight tonight in the trophy room.”

Harry with a wave of his hand replied, “Refused. I will not risk getting in trouble being out after curfew just to fight you. How about here and now?” he suggested.

Ron had his mouth opening and closing but said nothing. Harry noticed this, “You had no intention of even showing up, did you.” he challenged with a sneer, “What were you going to do? Tell Filch some students were about and have him lay in wait? My…how Slytherin of you.” He finished with obviously false admiration.

Ron screamed, “I’M NOT A DIRTY SLIMY SLYTHERIN!”

Harry replied, calm as ever. “No…A Slytherin would have been much more intelligent and subtle in their deception and trap use. You are an impulsive Gryffindor, and are wasting my time.” And with a negligent wave of his hand he turned away, saying “Be off with you.” This time the Hufflepuff and Slytherin tables laughed along, too.

Just as Harry finished, Master Snape appeared, “I, being closer then Hogsmeade, could not help, but overhear your comment Mr. Weasley. For your foul language and inability to comport yourself properly during dinner, I dock Gryffindor 20 points, and since one detention seems to have had little effect. Let’s make it a week with Filch. Get back to your table…Now!” he ordered.

McGonagall had come up, but Snape had started talking before she could. She winced at the judgement, but honestly the punishment was appropriate, so she curtly nodded to Snape, and walked back to her food…after making sure Ron did the same.

Richard who had quietly watched the altercation, called out “Heir Potter!” Harry looked his direction. “Excellent job showing how to keep calm and in control during an emotional debate. Well done, showing why you wear the blue and bronze!” Harry nodded his thanks to the compliment while many of the older Ravenclaws clapped. The firsties were starting to realize how valued the ability to make a strong logical argument was in their house…and especially in front of the other houses!

The two continued to adjust to their new lives and time moved on. At the end of magical discipline on Friday, Flitwick reminded the two, “Remember you have astronomy tonight at midnight. After you balm and massage each other, go to bed but set an alarm to get up for class on time. I suggest you get as much sleep as you can before astronomy, because 5am will arrive quickly.”

Hermione looked at him with concern, “We…still have physical discipline on the weekend?” she asked with some disbelief.

Flitwick just looked at her calmly. “We meet every day, for both classes, until the two of you are ready. If a special occasion merits missing class, we will make it up at other times. You kits, are more likely to lose control on weekends, without the structure of class to keep you centered. We will continue our training every day, until the two of you are disciplined, skilled, and safe. Agreed?”

Harry glanced at Hermione, and she nodded in defeat. He turned to Flitwick, “Yes sir! We will see you tomorrow morning.”

Flitwick grinned and barked out, “Attention!”

Both tried to pull themselves to attention, and he corrected the slight errors in their posture. Once satisfied, he barked out, “Dismissed!”

Harry and Hermione called back, “Sir!” and relaxed while Flitwick ran off to do other things.

Padma was an early riser, and found herself unable to sleep in, despite the late night with astronomy. She walked into the showers expecting to be alone and saw Hermione under the shower with a few stings on her bottom…as she was finding to be the norm for after morning discipline. She entered another stall, started washing and turned to Hermione, “By your stung bottom, I am assuming you went to physical discipline today. Is it going to be every day? Even after astronomy?” she asked, more than a little surprised.

Hermione had been rubbing her sore bottom, a bit sulky about the three stings she received today…and was thinking the same thing as Padma. She instinctively, pulled her hands away from her bottom, tensing up, but sighed and forced herself to relax. She turned to Padma with a broken smile, “Good morning, Padma. I was thinking the same thing and having a good sulk about it, when you came in.”

Padma snorted and replied with some amusement, “I just bet you were. Looking at your bottom, Master Flitwick must have ‘explained’ to you, he won’t be tolerating any shirking on the weekend. My sympathies.”

Hermione groaned and threw a rag against the wall. “I know right? And, you aren’t wrong. He was very clear that effort will maintain an acceptable level, or I will regret it. He made sure I did.” She said with some resignation and a defeatist smile.

Padma lightly chuckled in sympathy. “Going back to bed for a while?”

Hermione sighed, “No…Harry and I are going to the library to look up the Potter Foible. I am tired of everyone knowing more about my situation, than me!” She heatedly exclaimed. Hermione then took a breath to calm herself, and turned to Padma, “Shall we get to breakfast?”

Padma grinned, “Let me finish here and I will see you there.”

Hermione with a nod, went to get ready.

After having a nice breakfast talking to Padma, who was going to do some exploring with the other firstie girls of Ravenclaw, Hermione and Harry went to the library.

The two left the great hall and went down a few corridors to another large door, standing open. Inside could be seen bookshelves full of books. The two went through the door, and as they walked in, passed through a sound ward. None of the sounds from the outside hall, penetrated into the library. The lack of sound was almost oppressive in it’s quiet.

The room was huge, going up multiple stories. There were stacks, upon stacks of books, scrolls, and tomes, rising over their heads. There were arches with gates separating areas from others. In the center of the room was a long line of tables for individual study. As the two entered they were looking around at what must be thousands of books. All the stacks near them had multiple copies of the class texts, obviously advancing by year.

As the two moved deeper into the library, they didn’t see any other students, but were suddenly confronted by a woman. She stopped in front of them with a scowl. She was white-haired, with thin sunken cheeks, and a hooked nose. They had heard the librarian looked similar to a vulture, and the description was apt.

She glared at the two of them, “I don’t know you.” She quietly accused.

Hermione Eeeped in fright, but hurriedly curtseyed, “Hermione Granger of new house Granger. Please call me Hermione, ma’am.”

The woman turned to Harry and waited. Harry, following Hermione’s lead, bowed, “Heir Harry Potter, heir apparent to Earl Potter. Please call me Harry, ma’am.”

With a tight, but smooth curtsey, the witch responded, “At least you have manners. Madam Pince, Librarian. Now what brings a couple of firsties to the library so early on their first weekend at Hogwarts?” She obviously noted their house as she continued, “Even Ravenclaws have more interesting things to see…first.”

Hermione blushed, “That would be my fault, Madam Pince. It seems I have been caught by the Potter Foible…and have no idea what that means. I insisted we come here as soon as able to properly research it. Is there a book with the answers?” she politely asked.

Pince smirked, “Then I would say that is Master Potter’s fault, not yours.” She replied with a glance at Harry. “There is a whole section on family curses…the Potter Foible is covered extensively in quite a few tomes.” She calmly explained.

She then frowned, “Since you are new to the library, listen up! Most of the dangerous books are corralled in the restricted section. These books can hurt you, if you lack the discipline, knowledge, and sometimes the magic necessary to open or even grasp them safely. I say most, because a few like to sneak out and catch the unwary. Be warned.”

Hermione looked at her with confusion, “Well…after we have looked up the Potter Foible, we will seek the texts on proper tome handling. I am sure you can recommend a few.”

Madam Pince grinned, “Spoken like a true Ravenclaw.” She then turned away and started walking, “Let me take you to the family curse section.” And she led them over to another room and through an arch. “This is the room on curses. Be careful here, as some of these books resent their curses being avoided, and occasionally manage to curse a student.”

She then walked over to a bookshelf, “This is the bookshelf for family curses. Stay to this shelf and you should be safe.” She pulled out four texts and handed them to Harry. “Start with these. Do not put books back yourself. Leave them in the red bins and they will be returned overnight.” She pointed to a red bin in the corner. Both Harry and Hermione realized they had seen multiple red bins as they walked here.

“Remember to talk only while at a desk or table. The desk and table wards, will dampen the noise. No food or drink in the library, period! There is a bathroom off the main room if you have the need.” She then glared at the two, “If you mishandle or damage a book, I will have you unable to sit for the day, and banned from my library for at least a week!” she promised with another glare.

Hermione snorted with a scowl, “Anyone who would damage a book should not be allowed to return!” she emotionally exclaimed.

Pince just looked at her with faint approval, and gave a slight curtsey before walking away.

Harry grinned at Hermione, having won over a fellow bibliophile, and sat down at the table in the center of the room. He opened a book, soon joined by Hermione who opened another.

Harry gasped and Hermione asked, “What?”

Harry showed her the index.
Chapter 14 The Potter Foible: How it works, and what it means to everyone else.
Chapter 15 The Potter Foible: Legal ramifications to the most famous curse, and why threatening a Potter’s mate is NOT a good idea.
Chapter 16 The Potter Hair: Amusing and failed attempts to defeat a curse which helped everyone else…and made the Potter’s rich.
Chapter 17 The Potter Luck: How to make a Hero…and sometimes a villain.
Chapter 18 The Potter Attitude: A fourth curse? Or just the consequences of living with the other three.

Hermione saw the five chapters in the book, all on the Potters, “Wow…just wow.” She then looked at Harry and grinned, “So my children will be wrapped up in all of this, now.” And she shook her head.

Harry grabbed her hand with concern, “Are you OK with this? Because I have no idea if I am either! This is news to me too!”

Hermione looked at him and shook her head. “Let’s find out what this means, and then I will answer you. But Harry?” and she made sure he was looking in her eyes, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height. My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight. For the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of every day’s most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for right. I love thee purely, as they turn from praise. I love thee with the passion put to use in my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose with my lost saints. I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.”

He looked at her with a vulnerable look at her affirmation. Hermione continued, “No matter what these books say…I am here to the end. You know this.” She assured him.

Harry realized he did know it and smiled back, “In this world, and all to follow…for as long as you want me. I’ll be there.”

Hermione grinned and tapped his book, while she returned to hers.

The two spent a few hours going through those four books…and seven others. Hermione had to hand it to Madam Pince. The four she gave them, were the most comprehensive, and logical with their explanations. Some of the others were just hypothetical and written by…well morons.

After a while, Hermione closed the last tome and looked at Harry. “Ready for a review?”

Harry closed his tome and turned to her, “I’m ready if you are. What do we know?”

Hermione smiled and her eyes danced with excitement. Having a fellow researcher, be a boy who actually wanted her…it was the dream. “Well…let’s start with the easiest. The Potter Hair. Evidently it’s a curse, a couple hundred years old. Fortunately, there appears to be a difference from how it presents in a witch or a wizard. The witch has hair…similar to how mine was, and longer or arm-pit length. The wizard has hair like yours, and shorter or chin length.”

She then looked at Harry, “You can’t change the length. It will stay that long and regrow if you cut it. If you don’t, it will never grow longer. The hair is messy, but always repairs itself overnight…a small consolation.” She offered with a smile.

“Multiple Potters over the years were not satisfied with the curse, and tried to either lift the curse, or alleviate the problem. In the process, the Potters became known Potion Masters and invented multiple hair-care products which are still very popular to this day. It is the source of much of the Potter wealth.”

Harry smiled and shook his head. He looked up at her hair, “Our poor children.”

Hermione blushed while a SNAP! occurred in her hair, and she grinned back while Harry extinguished the resulting ember. “OK, next…the Potter Luck. Evidently probability is skewed around a Potter. They aren’t made luckier or unluckier, but the results are skewed to the extremes. As in both very good and very bad things happen to the Potters in equal measure. It has made them the right person in the right place, many times in history. Also, the wrong person in the wrong place a few times, too.”

Harry winced, “So Master Snape wasn’t exaggerating…and according to this, the magical level of the Potter, does effect the range and intensity of the effect.”

Hermione glared at him, “Remember Harry! This isn’t your fault! I will get cross at you on occasion…if this gets as ridiculous as some of these books imply, but it isn’t your fault…and I will eventually remember that.”

Harry looked at her, “Eventually?” he asked with concern.

Hermione nodded, “Eventually!” she said assertively.

Harry dropped it and moved on, “OK…ready to beard the lion?”

Hermione sighed, “The Potter Foible. Evidently a Potter finds their mate young. They are always bashful, brilliant, powerful, and socially awkward. The mate is chosen to challenge the Potter, and teach them humility.”

Harry grinned and broke in, “You don’t fit that pattern at all, my dear!” he snarked.

Hermione grinned back, “Very funny, buster. Evidently your father chased Lilly Evans for five years before she would give him the time of day. It was epic drama…which had both of them sitting uncomfortably from discipline, fairly often. Anyway, he eventually stopped being a poncy git, and won her over.”

She looked seriously at Harry, “Once won over, the curse snapped closed and they were bound for life…if not more. This isn’t as bad as some would fear, as both feel the emotional and physical state of their mate. Pain and pleasure in equal measures. Lily evidently told people that once James grew up, it was wonderous. James had become everything she could want, and made her very happy.”

Harry sighed, “Good! I was getting concerned my daughters could end up someone’s sex toy, but it seems her mate would not enjoy hurting her, unless she enjoyed it, too.” And he shuddered thinking about that. “Anyway, it means they won’t be abused, because this curse makes both care and feel what their mate feels…in their souls. Wow.”

Hermione grinned at him, “Well…now we know why our massages are so good for each other.” And with a slightly disapproving look at Harry, “and how a ‘boy’ is able to be emotionally supportive without throwing up.” She said with faint disapproval.

Harry grinned back, but didn’t deny it.

Hermione frowned, “Now the legal side. Evidently there was an altercation where a Potter ended a Dark Lord about 600 years ago who hurt his wife. He made three families extinct before successfully killing the villain. The trials were horrific, and because of that, he threatened to leave the country, taking the Potters from Britain forever.”

She looked at Harry, “The Potters were known for killing Dark Lords, and the threat of them leaving, had the minister pardon him and the ‘mot make a law stating no Potter under a Foible can be held accountable for protecting…or avenging their mate. The law has been in the books all this time, and is now imbedded in 600 years of precedence. Removing it would have such far reaching consequences to the body of law, that no one has been able to remove it.”

She then paused for a moment. “The last is the Potter attitude. Everything I have read, makes me believe it isn’t another curse, but a personality trait.” She then looked at Harry compassionately, “One you don’t share as you haven’t been raised as a poncy git, but…a slave.” And she squeezed his hand, “I still think you will be heroic and have the saving people thing, many Potters have been known to have. However, you don’t have the arrogance which makes it impossible for you to take advice or orders.”

She grinned, “I’m glad, as I don’t want to see Master Flitwick tenderize your bottom, dueling such foolishness out of you.”

Harry grinned back, “He would, wouldn’t he?”

Hermione just looked up at him, “No doubt….and I fully intend to raise our children with the discipline we are learning under master. I’m not burying any children because they are arrogant poncy gits, or Gryffindor stupid! The Potter family is small for the worst of reasons, and I won’t have it!” she yelled.

Harry looked at her, and took her hand. “I will make sure our children know you do this from love…and fear of losing them. I will support you.” He replied earnestly.

Hermione looked at him, “You will be smacking some bottoms too!” she insisted.

Harry let go, and looked away, “We talked about this, Mine. I don’t think I can.”

Hermione just looked at him, “We will talk more later,” and she dropped it.

She then said, “Well…how about we go eat lunch, and then work on our conjuring? I would love to get tables and chairs in our study room.”

Harry grinned, “Sounds like a plan.” And they put the books in the red bin before quietly leaving.

It took much of the weekend…leaving only a small amount of time to play with their new friends. By Sunday magical discipline, Flitwick came in and found the two sitting at a large plain table with two blocky chairs at it.

Flitwick frowned, and cast finite, to see if he needed to thoroughly sting-hex a couple of bottoms. To his surprise, the table and both chairs vanished. Harry and Hermione crashed to the ground with a group of books falling among them.

“Hey!” yelled Hermione. She then turned and saw it was Flitwick, scrambled to attention, and yelled, “Sir!”

Harry quickly joined her.

Flitwick not much appeased, sternly ordered “Conjure them again, now!” He hoped they didn’t have an upper-year do this. It would be a horrible breach of trust!

Hermione immediately conjured two chairs, while Harry conjured the table, and moved the books back on top of it. Flitwick looked at the two and shook his head. “Very well, keep improving your conjuring and you do your own furniture in the future.” With a grin, “That was months if not years ahead of what I expected. Congratulations!”

Hermione launched herself into Flitwick’s arms, “Thank you, Master! We worked all weekend to accomplish this and surprise you.” Giving him a tight hug.

Flitwick gently broke her hug, “Thank you, daughter.” He thought for a second and made a decision, “As soon as I can, I am claiming the two of you as official apprentices. DON’T discuss this with others until fait accompli. Some will interfere! Now how did you learn conjuring so soon?”

Hermione blushed and looked down. “It was an accident, sir. When I told Harry how I transfigured my match into a needle, I left out the step where he was to take his mental image of the needle, and force it into the match, using his magic as the ‘crowbar’. Instead, I told him to force his magic into the mental image itself. It worked.”

Flitwick was astounded. Everything she said was true, but the power necessary is not something a firstie should be able to summon…or control. Magus indeed. “Don’t teach other students your technique. It will work only for students of Magus power at your education level.”

Hermione blushed, “I didn’t believe I was really Partial Magus.”

Flitwick with a smile, pointed at the chairs she conjured. “I didn’t exaggerate, Partial Magus Granger.” Hermione gave him a hug again. This time Flitwick wasn’t as quick to break it, though he still did. He then worked them hard as always. Accomplishment just meant new goals needed to be set, as there was always room for improvement.

The two settled into their training routine, and were making friends with their fellow Ravenclaws. Hermione had joined the debate club. She really enjoyed listening to others and learning how to break down an opponent’s arguments, while learning how to avoid it happening to her.

Harry was enjoying flying with the Quidditch team. He was known as a natural and when allowed to borrow another player’s broom, did things with it only seen during professional games. Drake, currently on the team, just watched Harry’s obvious joy of flying. He realized if Flitwick kept him on ‘punishment’ duty indefinitely, the strength, agility, and endurance it gave Harry, would make him an absolute terror on a broom in a few years. He then frowned, It would make it hard for Harry to make team practices, but for a seeker, not as important.

He looked at Cho who was the current seeker, and as a second year. Harry was already better than her, but…time to have a discussion with their captain…and Master Flitwick.

On September 19, the day started like every other day for Hermione. Fortunately, she was now used to the pain of physical discipline and enjoying the slow but sure growth of her body. She was already seeing some definition in her muscles and her waist had shrunk a bit, accentuating her bottom more. She blushed, thinking about her copies of the nude ‘before’ pictures, Master Pomfrey had taken to make a point…and that she had hidden in the bottom of her chest. She really was changing a lot, and fair was fair. She was also finally getting control of her magic, and the sparks in her hair were less frequent.

Her mother in a letter (and wasn’t that a surprise when Hedwig showed up and landed in front of her when she wanted to send a letter!)

Then to find Harry had sent a letter to her parents, informing them to ‘call’ Hedwig if they ever wanted to send something to Hermione! ’Oh, Harry! I don’t care if people blame the Foible! Doing something like ‘giving’ his owl to her parents so they can keep in contact, was all Harry!’ she told herself with wonder at being so lucky.

Back to the subject, her mother had sent a present of a few books for her birthday. Hermione blushed, as the books were on a girl turning into a woman and concentrated on the mental and emotional changes that occurred. Hermione had read them quickly and gleaned the message from her mother was ‘Your body will want to do things! Don’t, as it’s just hormones readying you for bearing children. These hormones will also lead you to fall madly in ‘Love’ multiple times. Again, don’t believe it, as they are crushes and will fade as rapidly as they formed.’

Hermione giggled, ’If mother only knew!’ The Potter Foible removed all those considerations from her life. She had her love, and it wasn’t a crush. According to Harry, they would celebrate the birth of each grandchild by having athletic jungle sex…well as much as their bodies allowed. She just shook her head with a smile, at the way Harry put things, thinking of their future like that. Back to the books…evidently this must have occurred based on her first two letters. She would have to keep things reasonable, or her mother would lose it. By the presents it was already obvious, she knew Hermione had a big interest in Harry. She wouldn’t deny it, but just slow it down to a really fond friendship…with a boy who is also cute.

Harry and Hermione had decided to keep Hermione’s desk in her room. Harry told her to use it for personal correspondence and personal time, and share the twin desks in his room for work. He insisted she needed to do this…and could tell. ’Damn Potter Foible’ Hermione groused.

Anyway, enough time wasted. Time for breakfast and DADA…ugg what a useless class! Quirrell spent the whole-time stuttering, and you could barely understand him! I bet Harry could take him now…her too! She giggled again and rose to enter Harry’s room and collect him. He was waiting for her, with a smile.

He then pulled out a deep red rose from behind him and with a bashful smile said, “O my love is like a red, red rose that’s newly sprung in June; O my love is like the melody that’s sweetly played in tune. So fair art thou, my bonnie lass, so deep in love am I; and I will love thee still, my dear, till all the seas run dry. Till all the seas run dry, my dear, and the rocks melt with the sun; I will love thee still, my dear, while the sands of life shall run. And fare thee well, my only love! And faire thee well awhile! And I will come again, my love, though it were ten thousand mile.”

Harry then held out the rose to her, “Happy birthday, Mine.”

Hermione started crying. He remembered! No friend ever remembered! She jumped into his arms and exclaimed, “It’s beautiful Harry! Pin it on me?”

Harry smiled, “Go get a suitable pin and I will prep the flower. Hurry up, we can’t be late for class.” Hermione hurried off with a grin and tears glistening on her cheeks. She was so happy!

When she had returned, Harry had cut the stem off and sealed it. He then used the pin to secure it to her left chest above her breast. He was being fumble-fingered and trying to avoid touching anything inappropriate. This confused Hermione. She had pulled her left pectoralis major during a station, the previous day. Harry had deep massaged the bruising and muscle treatment ointment into her peck to heal it, last night. In the process of trying to get to the whole muscle, he had brushed his hand over her nipple knocking the towel away.

She had just moved the towel to cover the right breast and assured him, “I trust you, Harry. Finish the job.”

He then finished the job without an issue. Considering he has been massaging her pecs as needed and effectively her entire breast…with the occasional necessary brush across her nipple, she was surprised to see him now fumbling with touching the top of her breast.

Harry finally with a sigh, just pinned it, and looked in her eyes. “I will NEVER take anything for granted, Mine. The massage is medical, and to help you. I kinda now understand how doctors compartmentalize themselves when they do invasive procedures to their patient’s sexual regions, but don’t take pleasure from it. Well, any more than a job well done, and a healed patient.”

Looking up in her eyes, “This wasn’t medical. You invited me to touch your breast for a more personal reason. Naturally, it profoundly moved me, Mine.” Harry told her, his voice cracking with deep emotion.

Hermione threw her arms around Harry giving him a great hug. “Oh Harry! I am going to enjoy sharing each and every one of those firsts with you! You are my light and I couldn’t be happier. Let’s go! We barely have time for breakfast now!” and she pulled him from the room with a great grin on her face, not letting go of his hand.

Once at breakfast, the other girls were all congratulating Hermione on her 15th birthday and ‘Ohed and Ahed’ over the flower. When she told them Harry had recited Robert Burns ‘A Red Red Rose’ to her, the older girls looked at Harry with respect, and glared at their boyfriends. Their boyfriends never quoted poetry to them!

Harry just grinned, and quickly made himself as large a breakfast as he could currently tolerate. Flitwick insisted on it…the medical potions forced it, too.

Padma then asked Hermione, “I…well everyone has noticed the two of you quote poetry to each other, regularly. Is it a common hobby?”

Hermione blushed, “Sort of. We both are romantics, and reading poetry and literature while growing up, er fell in love with the idea of…well love. The love created by the Potter Foible is profound, and we both found we needed to fall back on the classics to express what we were feeling for each other. When I noticed Harry was more literate than expected, I told him I wanted a way to keep us separate from everyone else. Something to remind us where we come from…even as we both strive to embrace this world whole-heartedly.”

Padma looked at her, “So…you do it because your words aren’t enough to express your feelings. You both are romantics, and wish to continue your mundane love of literature?”

Hermione grinned, “That’s close enough.” And they finished their meal.

DADA was no better today. The class was so useless. The frustration of it, gave Harry a headache. He put his hand to his head, and the scar which had been there his whole life. Huh. The scar feels smaller, certainly thinner. He will have to check that out later. He had another twinge of pain, ’Damn useless Quirrell!’ thought Harry.

Note:
How Do I Love Thee (Sonnet 43) by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns

Chapter Text

Chapter 8

Things progressed along as they should over the next month and a half. Harry and Hermione were still in discipline class every morning, despite the fact it seemed they no longer needed it. It took a serious emotional upheaval to get them to spark their hair now.

They were often asked why they were still in morning discipline. They always answered firmly, “Master Flitwick still thinks it’s necessary.”

Hermione had removed her jacket, as she was wont to do when it was warm. This left her in just her T-shirt. She grinned and blushed slightly, remembering how it took a while, to get used to ‘exposing’ herself during exercise, now that she no longer needed a bra.

She spent most of September, meeting regularly with the other Firstie girls, to learn to cast the support charm properly. Natalie was very patient, and honestly, Hermione was the first one who learned it and was cleared to use it without supervision. She frowned in memory, well...she was first if you ignored that all wicca raised, either could cast it, or nearly so when they entered Hogwarts!

Evidently the wicca-raised, were trained in some wand use, before entering. Well, at least the domestic charms, like cleaning and clothes repair, and the hygiene charms, which always included the depilatory charm and the support charm. Many of them had mastered the support charm before that first class.

Hermione just ran along, appreciating that her breasts were held in place, so didn't hurt...and neither did her shoulders. She shook her head in slight embarrassment, at the memory of Master casting it on her. As Master had said, the support charm was significantly more comfortable…at least when performed with your own magic. Unfortunately…or fortunately depending on your goals, the support charm did a wonderful job supporting the breast, but did nothing to hide the anatomy, like most bras did. Therefore, wearing her T-shirt, and getting sweaty in morning discipline, provided an eyeful for others as her shirt glued itself to her breasts, and outlined her nipples quite vividly.

She grinned, remembering how many stings Harry received the first warm day she left off her jacket and performed in just her T—shirt. Flitwick was completely unsympathetic to Harry, when Hermione’s rather visible breasts and nipples kept distracting him. She then frowned at remembering their Master’s response, “Being a warrior is about training and discipline. You think you are the first warrior to notice a fine pair of breasts or a well-turned arse? You think a female won’t attack you while exposing herself, or even completely bare, to distract you and achieve the upper hand? Get used to it now, so it doesn’t kill you later!” Hermione hadn’t liked that answer, as it brought back all her insecurities about other women…or witches.

Harry quickly realized that, and pulled her in for a quick hug. He whispered in her ear, “It will only work for you, because I only want you. No one else, Mi- OWWW!” as Flitwick stung him again.

“Less hugging, more working. Get to it!” He commanded.

“Yes Sir!” and Harry was off…after another smouldering look at her breasts which made Hermione a bit wet herself…and not because she was sweating!

Life moved on, and both of them were soon used to Hermione’s new state of undress. Cho and Marietta were watching one morning as they finished their training, and noticed Hermione replacing her jacket before returning to the school.

Cho called out, “Don’t bother! You have already shown everything to everyone! We heard you were flashing your tits in discipline, but didn’t believe it! We actually got up early to see for ourselves, if it was true.” she said with a grin.

Harry sneered at Cho and snorted, “Jealous Cho? Hermione is doing this to help me. I used to become distracted by a pair of bouncing breasts when trying to fight her. Now, I can ignore it,” and he then looked at Hermione breasts with want, “even when I don’t want to.”

Cho looked at Hermione with a sneer of her own. “Well, what do you expect? She isn’t that impressive. I doubt you could ignore a proper pair.”

Hermione looked down in shame at the comment.

Harry glared at Cho, his eyes flashing and his mouth in a snarl, “Prove it. I bet I could ignore your unimpressive chest, quite easily.”

Marietta put her hand on Cho, “A proper lady doesn’t expose herself that way! Such activities are for the boudoir, and should be shared with your paramour alone!” she pompously insisted.

Harry smirked, “I had heard you are all talk Cho. If you have nothing to show me, then leave. It isn’t like your breasts would be any more impressive than the rest of you.”

Cho let out an inarticulate scream and the two stormed away.

Hermione pulled Harry into a hug. “Thank you, Harry. That meant a lot to me…even if you were exaggerating your attraction to my breasts,” she said with a quaver in her voice.

Harry pulled her around to look at him. He then looked in her eyes, and recited with his voice thick with emotion “Display thy breasts, my Hermione, there let me behold that circummortal purity; between whose glories, there my lips I’ll lay, ravished in that fair Via Lactea.”

Hermione blushed furiously, and grinned “Someday Harry. I occasionally dream about your lips, worshiping at my Via Lactea…but not yet!” she insisted shyly.

Harry just grinned, having achieved his goal of lightening her mood.

Harry was growing like a weed, and was already 15 cm taller with his body filling in quickly. He was rapidly gaining strength and was up to completing 4 stations in the obstacle course. None mastered, but four completed at least, in part, now.

The only problem was…now that he was healthy, he was hard multiple times a day…and he often stayed hard, until he went somewhere to let off the pressure, to get soft again! Even taking himself in hand morning and night, did little to assuage it.

Hermione really…I mean really enjoyed the ripple of muscle under Harry’s skin as she massaged him, and from the feelings which were slowly getting easier to interpret from Harry, he really enjoyed her muscles too…and she now often caught him hiding an erection…especially while massaging her, or getting one from her.

Besides obviously liking her body, it seemed Harry also wanted a strong independent witch, not a supplicant or fan-girl. She loved that about him…among many other things. It was also gratifying to see the scars were about half-way gone…including the one on his head.

After two months with Master Flitwick, they were both at the top of their class, and had good enough control of their magic to avoid blowing anything up…unless very emotional.

Hermione sighed as she finished brushing out her hair, It was Samhain, the anniversary of Harry’s parent’s death. Potion’s class went fine that morning. The Hufflepuff were so easy to work with, but she really needed to help Susan step up more. ’Susan was more intelligent that she acted.’ Hermione thought. Unfortunately, this afternoon Transfig, would be with the Gryffindors, Ugg!

Harry was studying at his desk and looked up as Hermione came in. “Your hair is really settling down nicely, Mine. Now that you have the choice, any particular style you would like?” he asked, gently smiling.

Hermione smiled back at the compliment. “I want to keep it long for now. Having finally mastered the military braid, I can get it out of the way with a spell, and it makes me look more mature.” She decisively answered. She then looked in Harry's eyes, slightly uncertainly "Do you have a preference?"

Harry felt her thoughts and emotions flit by him. He couldn’t read her mind, but he got impressions along with her emotions. He smiled again, “While I personally think you would be cute as a button with a pixie cut, I also think long hair makes you look more mature, more statuesque, and lady-like. Then when you put your hair in the battle-braid, you look like a warrior queen. My warrior queen!” Harry then frowned briefly, “I don’t want anyone to mistake you for a young girl when you are a maturing and accomplished witch.”

“Oh Harry!” and she gave him a hug. Harry said the exact correct thing. ’The Potter Foible sure can be helpful!’ she grudgingly admitted to herself.

Lunch was fine and then they went to transfiguration. The class lecture was acceptable, but the problems appeared once it was time for wand work. As a light joke, Harry and Hermione went over to stand in an open area of the room. Minerva looked at them, wondering what they were up to. They were still hostile if polite to her, and it had become rapidly apparent they considered her class beneath them. Minerva had evidently forgotten, this was true in Charms, and DADA too, but she was irritable about the situation.

“Mr. Potter! Miss Granger! Find a table so we can begin!” ordered Professor McGonagall from the front of the room.

Hermione pouting outrageously, replied “Do we have to?” almost petulantly. That should have been Minerva's first clue, she had never seen Hermione petulant…or pouting for that matter.

Minerva then exclaimed with obvious disbelief in her voice, “Well, you can conjure them if you so choose!”

Hermione with a grin exclaimed, “OK!” and yelled “Class Chair!” and a nice sturdy chair with a padded seat appeared. She then moved her wand over and did it again. Meanwhile Harry loosed his magic causing his eyes to glow brightly, and simply pointed in front of the chairs and a table with a loud ‘pop!’ appeared. It was a simple table but sturdy.

Neither of them sat down. McGonagall didn’t know what to do. In the first term of first year, these two performed conjurations…unless.

She pulled her wand and flicked it at them. Nothing happened. This time she yelled “finite!” and all three faded away.

Harry just grinned and held out his hand rubbing his fingers on his thumb in that universal sign for ‘pay up!’ Hermione just shook her head and pulled out a galleon and handed it to Harry.

“Mr. Potter!” screeched Minerva, “What are you doing?”

Harry sighed, “I bet Hermione you would immediately cancel our conjurations, she thought you would talk to us first. I won a galleon.”

Minerva, never liking being the butt of a joke, yelled “That will be 10 points from each of you for pranking a professor, and a week’s detention!”

Harry's grin turned hostile and he demanded, “For what? Performing a conjuration in transfiguration class? Are you daft?”

Minerva replied just as hostile and with complete disbelief, “There is no way the two of you did that! It has to be a set-up prank with help from an upper-class student!” she concluded.

Hermione obviously upset at the situation, tried mediating, “Then test us. Ask us to conjure something. If we succeed, the punishment is cancelled. We made a light joke yes, but we were trying to impress you, not insult you.” she said consolingly.

Minerva looked at them angrily. Not even the twins, nay not even the marauders, dared to challenge her in her class! This was ridiculous! She then flicked her wand and two hedgehogs appeared. Before she could say anything, Harry yelled, “NO! Not transfiguration, conjuration!”

Minerva gave out a great sigh. “I was trying to give you a chance as this is second year work. Conjuration is fifth year. Are you really trying to tell me you can conjure?”

Hermione, now obviously angry herself, replied coldly “We aren’t trying to tell you anything. Give us a conjuration task! We did not trick you!”

Minerva glared back, “OK, but understand the punishment doubles if you fail.”

Harry nodded, “Double or nothing? That is reasonable…as long as your requests are no more difficult that what you previously saw. Doing otherwise, would be rather unfair…don’t you think?” There was an obvious judging quality to his voice.

Minerva glared at Harry; at the implication she would cheat him. 'Wait, he actually thought she would…dammit!' she realized.

Minerva with a flick of her wrist made the hedgehogs disappear. “Fine, each of you make a chair and a table. Make them different from the previous ones. Do what you can.” she said, back in teacher mode.

Harry turned to Hermione. “Release your magic. Show the world you are MAGUS!” he enthused.

Hermione looked unsure, but the waves of confidence from Harry, shored her up. She released her magic completely, and opened her eyes. They glowed slightly in the light, a beautiful brown. The feeling of her magic, was swamping the room, and made your skin crawl. With a cry she yelled, “Throne!” and with a loud pop, a black mahogany throne appeared with the Potter crest done in cherry wood. It was beautiful. She then yelled “Desk!” and a beautiful mahogany desk with multiple drawers appeared. It was also embossed with the Potter crest in cherry wood. This was easily NEWT level work.

Harry was clapping at her and bowed. Hermione with a sheepish grin, curtseyed back to him. “Do better, light of my life. Show everyone, you are the next Merlin!” she exclaimed.

Harry nodded with a grin, and closed his eyes. Suddenly everyone felt the spike as his magic swamped the room, and pressed down on them. It felt like they were small, with no magic of their own, to feel it pour off of Potter like that. It was very disconcerting. Harry opened his eyes and they burned. His eyes were glowing with a green fire, lighting up his face.

He pointed his wand at the spot in front of him, narrowed his eyes in concentration, and…smiled. Suddenly with a pop there was a Wrought Iron and Marble high-backed chair. On the sides of the back were marble carvings of Hermione standing beautiful, barely covered by silk cloth draped across her. Nothing was uncovered…but everything was visible through the ‘thin’ cloth, from her nipples to her vulva, and it showed Hermione in an adult form and absolutely gorgeous. Each Hermione was different with different expressions.

Hermione looked at herself through his eyes, and squeaked while unconsciously covering up. She then realized this was a bit of 'pay back' for her T-shirt exercising, as her breasts were only slightly more visible than that. Seeing such a beautiful adult witch, proudly posing and showing her assets, while wearing Hermione’s face...it was unreachable.

Harry knowing her doubt, turned Hermione to look at him, “I see that everyday when I look at you. Your beauty comes from inside and permeates you, never doubt it.” he said thick with emotion. Every girl in the room wished Harry was saying that to them...looking at them, the way he was looking at her.

Hermione with a sob threw herself at Harry and hugged him fiercely. "I love you too, my Everything!" she oathed.

Minerva could not believe what she was seeing. This was ridiculous, but she had always thought Dumbledore was simply brilliant. ’Was transfiguration really just a function of power at near Magus level? Had Albus cheated her all this time? He was a partial magus too!' She walked over to Harry’s chair. The Hermione’s on the side were Renaissance carving worthy and absolutely gorgeous in unbelievable detail. They showed the love of the sculptor for his muse, which was undeniable. The Potter Foible struck again!

After a minute of her examining a conjuration beyond any but a master, she dropped her hand. She then shook her head, “It should not be necessary, but a deal is a deal. Show us a table…or desk Heir Potter,” she ordered quietly.

Harry with a smirk, as this is the first time she acknowledged his rank, forced his magic and it spiked even higher. He closed his eyes for a few seconds and opened them. He jabbed his wand and a marble table was instantly present. Many different colors of marble, made a picture on top. The two of them were holding each other on a beach, with the sun behind them. They weren't clothed, but nothing was overt about their grasp. It was magnificent! Each of the four legs, were a different beautiful representation of Hermione, and not the same as the ones on the chair. Hermione just exclaimed, “OOOH!” at their beauty, and a couple in the room murmured, “Wow!” or “Merlin!” Harry then collapsed from magical exhaustion.

Harry woke up in the infirmary. With a groan, he opened his eyes and looked at the person holding his hand. Hermione was there, staring in his eyes with concern. With a timid smile, at seeing him awake, she quietly asked “How are you feeling, Harry?”

With another groan, he pulled himself up, noticed he was in a sick gown, and sat on the side of the bed. “I feel like an idiot. I overdid it, didn’t I, Mine?” and gave her a sheepish grin.

Hermione with a watery giggle, clutched Harry in a tight hug, “Yes you did! You scared me, Harry. Please don’t do that again?” she asked hopefully.

At this point Madam Pomfrey came over. “Hold up there, Mr. Potter! Let me check you first! Lie back down.” She then waved her wand and the sick gown was gone. She scanned him in complicated patterns using her wand, and a series of images and runes appeared over him. They danced and changed, but obviously told her what she wanted to see. “Very well. You look better now, with your magic refilling quickly. You are also healing nicely from your…childhood.”

She then glanced at Hermione, noticing she wasn’t really averting her eyes. “In fact, since it has been two months, let’s do another set of pictures as evidence of your healing…and how badly you were injured.”

Harry sighed as she went to get the camera. Hermione was pretending to not look…unsuccessfully. Harry glared at her and she looked away with a grin. He stood up when Pomfrey reappeared, but Harry yelped and spun back around, when he realized he was developing an erection. Now facing away, and holding himself, Harry exclaimed “Merlin!”

Poppy just huffed, “Turn around Harry. I am a healer, and seeing that working appropriately…is actually gratifying.”

Hermione giggled and both glared at her, while she blushed, and turned away again.

Poppy then cast an impotence charm and Harry went flaccid. He glanced down and up at her with some worry. Poppy huffed, “Your penis should stay down for an hour after that spell…despite any triggers.” She then gently smiled, “It will get appropriately and normally hard once the spell has worn off. I didn’t damage it, and nothing is wrong.” She said glancing at Hermione…who was avidly watching again, with a smile.

Hermione saw them noticing her look at Harry, and looked away once more, but couldn’t help glancing back at him. Harry sighed. Poppy took another set of pictures, and when done, looked at Hermione with a fire in her eyes.

Hermione saw the look, and started shaking her head, “Oh no!”

Poppy grinned, “Oh yes! You have changed much, too. Besides you know the mirror technique, and you should share the embarrassment you caused.” With a flick of her wand, Hermione was again bare.

Harry was looking at her and groaned at her beauty, but didn’t get hard, and after looking at her avidly for a gloriously long minute, turned away. Once pictures were taken of her too, Hermione quickly worked on getting dressed again.

Poppy then handed them their individual copies of their pictures, and handed a potion to Harry, “Take this, it’s for your eyesight. You are now healthy enough to do this, and this potion should correct it.”

Harry took the potion and grimaced at the taste. After a few seconds, he groaned and grasped at his eyes, which were painfully burning.

Poppy replied, “The pain will go away in a minute or two. You will be fine.” She tersely advised.

Hermione glared at her for causing Harry pain and just held Harry while he groaned. After a few minutes Harry pulled his hands away from his eyes. “Wait! Everything is blurry.” He worriedly exclaimed.

Hermione huffed and yanked off his eyeglasses, looking at him reproachfully.

Harry looked at her, and saw her without glasses for the first time. And truly in focus. Looking at her beauty, he suddenly recited “I ne’er was struck before that hour with love so sudden and so sweet, her face it bloomed like a sweet flower and stole my heart away complete. My face turned pale as deadly pale, my legs refused to walk away, and when she looked, what could I ail? My life and all seemed turned to clay.”

“And then my blood rushed to my face and took my eyesight quite away, the trees and bushes round the place seemed midnight at noonday. I could not see a single thing, words from my eyes did start-they spoke as chords do from a string, and blood burnt round my heart.”

“Are flowers the winter’s choice? Is love’s bed always snow? She seemed to hear my silent voice, not love’s appeals to know. I never saw so sweet a face as that I stood before. My heart has left its dwelling-place and can return no more.”

Harry just looked at her, “You are so beautiful, Mine. I thought so before, but I was blind…and now I see.”

Hermione had tears in her eyes, on feeling what he was feeling looking at her. “Thank you, Harry. You are so beautiful, and everything to me too.”

Poppy cleared her throat and dashed away a tear of her own. Drat that boy! He is making her act like a virgin maiden! “Remember to keep taking your potions until they no longer refill. You can now continue with your day, as you collapsed from the sudden drain, instead of because you were dangerously low. Keep it light for the rest of the day.” and she walked quickly away.

Harry glanced at her pictures, and Hermione blushed, before she put them away. He just shook his head, and the two of them quickly started getting dressed while avoiding looking at each other…mostly. Once in his underwear, Harry grabbed Hermione’s blouse and held it out to her.

Hermione saw the motion and turned to Harry, seeing him holding her blouse, while only in knickers. He was taking more than a couple of glances at her uncovered breasts. Hermione blushed and yanked the blouse from his hands. "Remember Harry, we have to at least pretend modesty around others, they will assume things not true if we don't." she warned.

Harry knowing she was right, and not liking her cross with him for such a pointless reason, immediately capitulated. "Sorry Mine...I guess I am still in a comical frame of mind...not that it worked." The two quickly dressed without any more interruptions.

At this point it was almost 3pm and Flitwick came in. Once he saw Harry was fine, the slight worry on his face vanished, to be replaced with anger. “You two! Come with me!” and he turned around and left.

Harry took one look at Hermione, who was suddenly worried, sighed and hopped up to follow his master.

The two quickly caught up to Master Flitwick. He said nothing as they near-ran to keep up with his jogging pace. He continued to say nothing, as he led them up to Ravenclaw, and into their class-room. Once in the room, they saw the table and chair made by Harry off in a corner.

Hermione gave a soft cry at seeing it, and ran over to examine the Hermione's. After a minute, she looked at Flitwick, “I was expecting you to sting my bottom something fierce, not give us these. Why?”

Flitwick looked at her, slightly confused “Do you deserve to be so severely punished?”

Hermione now had tears running down her face, “It wasn’t a prank!" she wailed, "We were so proud we had conjured a table and chairs, and wanted to share it with the Transfiguration Mistress! She then dispelled them…which cost me a galleon. Anyway, she was so dismissive, and knowing she is involved with Harry being at that house, I went overboard, then Harry did too. Why are they still here?” she finally asked.

Flitwick shook his head. It was basically as he had been told…though Minerva had them more disagreeable and disrespectful than Hermione indicated.

One thing he had learned, Hermione was incapable of lying to him, when he sternly confronted her. If she said it wasn’t a prank, when he asked in that tone, then it wasn’t. He thought for a second, “No malicious intent or stupid Gryffindor self-destructive tendencies need to be addressed. Ergo nothing so severe as a bottom roasting is warranted.”

With a smile, Flitwick waved at the table and chair, “Those are of indefinite duration. We will keep them here, and see how long they will last.” With a smirk he continued, “The staff has a pool going on how long until they fade away. I took indefinite, or at least until your graduation.”

Harry looked at him, “So if we aren’t being punish-“

Flitwick sternly interrupted Harry, “I never said that! I only informed Hermione, her bottom was safe for now. What the two of you did, while not really a prank, was still seriously disruptive to class. In fact, the whole class was a waste with no students progressing on their transfiguration skills today. You did that.” he accused.

Hermione with tears still forming in her eyes, “I didn’t intend.”

Again, Flitwick interrupted, “And that is why we will skip the punishment for now, and head straight to the solution. You two have already mastered the first step of occlumency, meditation. Now it is time we work on your proper occlumency. The second step, or the sorting and protecting of your memories. This will give you the ability to examine your actions and determine if things went as you planned. It will also give you better control, tighter memory, and less emotional lability.”

He called three bean bags and said, “Sit down. It’s time to begin.”

Two hours later, Harry was emotionally exhausted. While this didn’t take much magic, creating a storage unit and sorting his memories was seriously unpleasant. Until two months ago, he had few good memories in his life. Precious few indeed.

Flitwick noting the time, “Stop! That is enough for today. Now that you know what to do, I expect the two of you to continue sorting your memories for a time before bed. Let me know when you are finished, but don’t take longer than another two weeks.”

Flitwick jumped up and was immediately followed by Harry and Hermione. It was a litmus test on how hard he was pushing them in the morning, as unless he pushed very hard, they now had the agility to jump up before the conjurations ended. Flitwick nodded to the two of them and said “See you at the feast!” and left.

Harry just stood there. He had forgotten about the feast, and didn’t look like he wanted to do much of anything. Hermione came over and stood next to him brushing his hair out of his eyes. “What can I do Harry?” she asked with concern, feeling the waves of indecision coming from him.

Harry just threw up his arms and started walking in a circle. Somewhat like a caged tiger, looking for a way out. “I don’t know!” he yelled. He then looked at Hermione, seeing the slightly hurt look in her eyes, “Sorry Mine. This whole situation has me on edge. These people celebrate the day Voldemort vanished, and I can understand that. But how do they not see, that day was the day my life ended? My family ended? How is that beyond them?” he lamented.

Hermione cursed under her breath. “It’s those stupid books, Harry. No one knows what you have suffered. As far as they are concerned, you celebrate Samhain too.”

“Well, let them have their party, but I refuse to sit there and pretend I am partying too. I’m not going.” Harry declared.

Hermione looked at Harry and could feel his distress. “According to the book, Hogwarts will provide assistance when needed.” Hermione then raised her voice to the heavens, “Hogwarts! We need help!” she implored.

Shortly a small being, 3 feet tall with floppy ears, and a clean but worn dress with the Hogwarts seal on it appeared. “What you need help with miss?" the small creature asked, "I warn you, if this not being appropriate, I tells the professors, and they will roast your bottom something fierce!” she sternly warned.

Note:
Upon Julia’s Breasts by Robert Herrick
First Love by John Clare

Chapter Text

Chapter 9

Hermione after getting over the shock of seeing the 'lady creature' asked, “Can I know your name?”

With a confused look, 'Masters never wanted their name!' she thought. “I be Daisy, miss.”

Hermione replied, “Please call me Hermione, Daisy. We were wondering if you could help us?”

Daisy replied with a suspicious frown, “Youse being nice will still get your bottom punished, if this not be right! What help do you need, miss Herme?”

Hermione winced at the butchering of her name, while Harry smiled. With a glare at Harry, she turned back to Daisy, “We can’t go to the feast as Harry here lost his parents this night. He feels sad, not happy. Can you give us a separate dinner here so the others can enjoy themselves without our sadness ruining their party?”

Daisy tilted her head to the side as if listening to instructions. Shortly she bobbed her head making her ears flop and said, “Hogwarts agrees! We will share the feast with you here. Daisy lost her family in past too. She wishes she had someone care for her sadness the way you care for your Harry Potter.” And she popped away.

Shortly, a table and two chairs appeared. On it was a veritable feast of food. Both tucked in and enjoyed the repast. They ate quietly, just enjoying a meal without the din of the other students. It was intimate and oh so sweet.

Once they had eaten and stepped away from the table, everything vanished. Hermione looked to the ceiling and called out gratefully, "Thank you, Daisy! Thank you, Hogwarts!"

She then looked back to Harry, “The feast will be going for a while yet. On future Samhain, I fully intend to be intimate with you, Harry. I want to make this a night rivalling every other day of the year where we celebrate our love, so your unhappy memory of Samhain becomes a distant memory.” She grinned, and brushed the hair from Harry’s eyes while he looked at her a bit worryingly. I mean, what she was suggesting sounded wonderful...but he wasn't sure he was ready for that!

Hermione continued “Now while I intend to snog you senseless next year…and possibly more, we haven’t known each other long enough for that yet. How about we explore the castle while holding hands? We rarely get the time and the chance.”

Harry smiled, and a subtle tension left his shoulders. Hermione wasn't rushing things, “I would like that a lot, and will await your future endeavors to overshadow previous memories…as long as you are ready for such activities, too.” he stammered.

Hermione smiled and pulled him from the room.

The two had been exploring the castle for over an hour. Strolling along holding hands, sometimes hugging and resting their heads touching on their shoulders. They were just enjoying the quiet of having so few people around. They were now wandering the dungeons, having never been there, when they heard a ‘ROAR!’ from a nearby intersection.

While pausing and wondering what to do, a large green-skinned 2.5 meter, troll appeared. It was carrying a moderately sized tree-trunk it apparently used as a club, and was looking at them confused. The two tried to back away, but as soon as they moved, the troll Roared again, and charged.

Both Harry and Hermione had mastered the basic levitation charm. They were swishing their wands, continuously pulling things down from the walls and alcoves, to block the troll, while they tried to run away. The troll just bashed the obstacles out of the way, and came on hard. The two had no idea where they were. Trying to escape, they had taken a wrong turn and ended up in a dead end.

“Harry!” Hermione yelled, “We’re trapped!” She then instinctively cast military braid on her hair, getting it out of the way, and taking a defensive position.

They were stuck against a brick wall with the troll approaching while swinging his club and bashing holes in the wall. Harry tried taking the club from the troll but as soon as he pulled it away, the troll grabbed a chunk of the stone wall and hurled it at them!

The stone barely missed both their heads shattering on the wall, and forcing Harry to drop the club. The troll picked up the club Harry had dropped, and stepped forward the last few feet.

Hermione yelled, “HELP!” and the troll oriented on her. It raised its club and started bringing it down with such speed and force, there was little chance Hermione would survive.

Harry yelled “NO!” and instinctively released his magic while he grabbed Hermione trying to shield her with his body. There was a loud thunderclap of sound and suddenly the two of them were forced to the ground by an avalanche of tools, weapons, furniture, everything imaginable, flew around them.

After a few minutes it became quiet…too quiet. Another few minutes, and a sticky liquid started dripping on them from above…it smelled really bad.

Harry took a chance and cast Lumos! The light didn't travel far, as they were in a small cave formed by all the stuff. Hermione was next to him, and was worryingly looking back at him. Both of them were crouching on the floor, with a dome of ‘stuff’ right above their heads. The sticky, smelly liquid dripping on them was blood...a large amount of it. Harry only hoped, it the blood of the troll, and not something, or worse, someone else.

Harry quietly asked, “Are you alright?”

Hermione replied, with a small worried smile, “I’m fine thanks to you, Harry. The troll was going to kill me, but you stopped it. I don’t know how, but you stopped it.”

Harry just shook his head, and hugged Hermione tightly to him. “All I did was try to protect your body with mine. I don’t remember doing anything else!”

Harry just held Hermione, and tried to keep the blood from falling on her head. He wasn’t that successful.

After about 30 minutes, the two could hear muffled talking outside their cave. They couldn't make out what was being said, it was too quiet and indistinct. Harry yelled, “We’re in here! Under the pile of stuff! Be careful removing it, as it could crush us!”

Soon the debris was floated off of them, allowing Harry and Hermione to stand. They turned to see Flitwick, McGonagall, Snape, and Sprout there. All four heads of house!

Harry let out a big huff as he breathed clean air again, “Thanks for getting that off of us, we weren’t sure how much air we had, and have been here almost an hour!”

Flitwick looked at them disapprovingly, “Can you explain your actions? Can you explain your absence from the feast?” he challenged.

Hermione snapped to attention, “Sir! Harry was depressed about having to pretend joy on this day. I beseeched Hogwarts for help and Hogwarts agreed. We were instead fed in our study room.”

McGonagall quickly yelled, “And why would you be sad on this, day of days? It’s in your name, for Merlin’s sake!” she accused.

Harry glared back at her, “Lies!” he yelled in her face. “Only a fool thinks a 15-month-old baby killed anything! I certainly was never able to use magic to protect me from my daily abuse from the Dursleys. My parents were murdered that day, and supposed friends of my parents, betrayed them and left me in a house to be abused by magic hating muggles! I have NOTHING TO CELEBRATE THIS DAY!” Harry screamed glaring at McGonagall. While his hair went SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! And an actual fire started in it.

Flitwick quickly extinguished the fire, then glared at Minerva, before he turned back to Harry, “Calm yourself, Heir Potter.” he ordered.

Harry snapped to attention next to Hermione, “Yes Sir! Sorry Sir!” In a more normal voice, but still deep with emotion, Harry continued, “I had no wish to lie and pretend happiness. Since everyone else, does have a reason to celebrate this day, I do not feel it appropriate to dampen their feelings, so decided to stay away. Fortunately, Hogwarts agreed and provided respite. Once we were done eating, Hermione tried to take my mind off things, by taking me for a walk. We had never explored the dungeons before so were doing so. We had no idea this school was so dangerous. A warning…similar to the forbidden forest would be appreciated.” He then looked at McGonagall with more than a little disgust.

Flitwick then questioned, “So…you did not seek out the Troll?”

Harry snorted, “I didn’t even know about the Troll! And with Hermione next to me? I would never take her into danger if I could avoid it! We were walking along when we heard a roar. We tried to back away, but the troll saw us and charged. We were soon lost, being unfamiliar with the layout, and found ourselves trapped in this dead-end. We tried to stop the troll and failed. It raised its club to kill us, I threw myself on Hermione to shield her body, and a great mass of stuff suddenly slammed into the space above us making a small cave to protect us. Blood seeped through after a time. We only hope it was the troll, and not someone or something else. We eventually heard voices, that’s when we yelled.”

Snape just shook his head, mumbling “Potter Luck.” Seeing that the troll was neutralized and these students were safe enough, he realized he was needed elsewhere, “This isn’t far from the Slytherin dorms, and I have to verify all the Slytherins are safe. I leave you to deal with this.” He then left to check on his students in Slytherin. They were housed in the dungeons, and he had to do a student count. Students often snuck away, and today that could have been life threatening.

Sprout quickly reached the same conclusions, and said with a shake of her head, “I also have students housed in the dungeons and must check on them. Since I am no longer needed here, I leave this to you two.” and she left to check on her students too. She needed to make sure her Badgers were fine. It was obvious these two were not seriously harmed. Harry Potter had killed that Troll, and with accidental magic, no less. ’A Troll, what was this school coming to!’ she shook her head as she walked away.

Now it was just Flitwick and McGonagall standing there looking at them.

Hermione then with some fear in her voice, turned to her Master and asked, “Master…are we in trouble? Am I being spanked, this time?”

Flitwick closed his eyes in evident pain, took a deep breath in, and let it out, before opening them. “Why do you keep asking for a spanking, Hermione? Do you actually need one…or want one?”

Hermione suddenly realized, she had been asking for one, and loudly exclaimed “NO! It’s just…we keep getting involved in these ridiculous occurrences! Is the Potter Luck really doing this to us, or is this something we are doing wrong? I have never been in this much trouble before!” She looked imploring at Flitwick, “These episodes seem serious enough to warrant a severe punishment. I…the anticipation, Sir. It’s scaring me.” she admitted with wide eyes and a tremble in her voice.

Flitwick just looked at her, realizing she was being completely honest. Certainly, the fact her thoughts were scattered so badly, would indicate it. Hermione’s arguments were usually much more logical. “My spankings are always in the form of punishment duels, Hermione, and I only use them when things are very serious. I much prefer physical discipline training where I will sting-hex your bottom to keep you working hard, but leave your bottom alone if you push yourself, properly. However, I will use what works, and each student responds best to differing types of discipline. True, some kits respond best to a sore bottom to correct them, others it helps little...especially by your age. In the two months I have trained you, I have found my overt disappointment in you, would affect you much more than a sore bottom. Am I incorrect?” he asked her gently.

Hermione with tears forming in her eyes, wailed out “No Master! If you were truly disappointed in me, it would destroy me!”

Flitwick nodded, “Exactly so, Hermione. Stop asking me to sting your bottom. I am not likely to use such, when more effective means of discipline are available, OK?”

Hermione nodded with relief, “Yes Master. What happens now? Harry saved my life…I was dead today.” She declared.

McGonagall threw up her arms in disbelief after listening to that ridiculous conversation. Considering all the trouble these two got into, a spanking sounded like a good idea! 'Damn Potter Luck!' she thought to herself. "Fine! Give Harry five points for saving the little chit, and send them to bed. I have work to do!” She then stormed off, shaking her head and muttering to herself.

Hermione looked at Flitwick who had winced at Minerva letting her temper get away from her. This could have consequences.

Hermione thought for a second, and looked at Flitwick with disbelief, “Did…Did she just give Harry five points for saving my life? Five…worthless…POINTS? Does she think so little of me, that MY LIFE IS WORTH FIVE POINTS?” by the end Hermione was screaming and Harry pulled her against him holding her tightly while she sobbed. There were multiple SNAPs from her hair, but Harry immediately cast the extinguish charm on it. He looked at Flitwick with confusion and indecision in his eyes.

Flitwick just shook his head as he motioned for them to follow him. Harry was forced to guide Hermione along, as she had withdrawn into herself. She just sobbed as Harry pulled her along, not really moving. Harry was forced to pick her up and hold her. Once in his arms, Hermione clutched against him tightly and Harry was now crying too as he followed his master while carrying Hermione.

Flitwick took the two to the Infirmary to see Madam Pomfrey. Once inside, Madam Pomfrey yelled out, “What happened?” on seeing a blood covered Hermione sobbing in Harry’s arms…also blood covered.

Flitwick calmly replied, “The troll found them. Heir Potter killed it protecting Hermione. I don’t think they were seriously hurt, as most if not all this blood should be from the troll, but I brought them here to be sure.”

Pomfrey nodded curtly and with a complicated spell, all the blood on them rose up and vanished. She nodded and mumbled, “Good it wasn’t their own…at least on their clothes.”

She then had the two lie down on a bed and Hermione yelled “NO!” when Harry went to set her down. Harry then pointed to a bed and said, “Expand it for us, please.”

Before Poppy could say anything, Flitwick flicked his wand and the bed increased in width one meter. Harry immediately nodded to his Master and lay down, and moved across the bed. He then gently set Hermione down beside him.

“Lie down, Mine. She needs to verify we are both unharmed. With the combat adrenalin, neither of us can trust ourselves, right now.” Hermione released Harry and then clutched onto his hand tightly.

Harry was able to inch slightly away from her, to not interfere with the scan, but it was obvious she wouldn’t let him release her hand. He was looking at Hermione worryingly. He had never seen her spirit this broken.

Poppy had Forest Troll screaming in her head, so really wasn’t paying attention to modesty when she flicked her wand, and sent both patient’s clothes into the wash. Hermione didn't even seem to notice. Harry glanced down seeing two naked bodies next to each other, then blushed furiously. He glued his eyes to Hermione's face, trying to ignore that the two of them were both bare, slight centimeters from each other, and groaned when he felt his body responding. Hermione never noticed. She just looked up at the ceiling with tears pouring from her eyes.

Healer Pomfrey, noticing Harry’s age-appropriate physiologic response, cast the impotence spell on him again. She quickly scanned both Hermione and Harry, not finding any injuries above some large bumps and scrapes. Poppy sighed with relief, then saw two 14-year-olds, skyclad holding hands on her bed.

She exclaimed, “Oh dear!” and with a flick of her wrist both were in sick gowns. As soon as the gowns appeared, Harry pulled Hermione over to him. She immediately rolled on top of Harry and grabbed a hold of him tightly, while she continued to cry, her tears now falling down on Harry’s face from her misery.

Poppy looked at Flitwick and apologized, “Sorry about that. I was in trauma mode.”

Flitwick worried about these two, just glanced at her and quietly replied, “She is quickly becoming a daughter to me. Nudity is of no consequence, among family, sportsmen, or warriors.”

Poppy opened her mouth, then realized Harry had killed a Forest Troll at 14 years old. If that didn’t make him a burgeoning warrior, little would.

Poppy left and came back with a potion. She bade Hermione, “Drink it.” When Hermione didn’t move, she continued, “A calming potion. Then the two of you are to take your night potions, and go to bed. You should be better in the morning.”

Harry sat Hermione up and took the potion from Poppy. He near force-fed it to Hermione, who was still near catatonic. After a minute, Hermione had her wits about her again, “Thank you, Healer Pomfrey.” she gasped, still clutching Harry tightly.

Pomfrey nodded at the effect of the calming potion. “Off to bed with you now.” She said kindly.

Harry asked, “I have bruise/muscle balm for deep bruising, but nothing for the cuts and abrasions. What should I use?”

Poppy smiled, “Thinking like a healer. Good.” She went and came back with a different ointment. “This is dittany. Rub a small amount along each scrape and cut, and it will repair the skin. Then use the balm to heal the underlying damage. Understand, Heir Potter?”

Harry nodded, “Use dittany to close the skin, then bruise balm for underlying damage. Yes Ma'am.”

Flitwick then escorted them to Ravenclaw, while carefully watching Hermione. She seemed somewhat better, but he knew the truth. The calming potion was a simple bandage over a war wound. Tenuous at best.

When they came in, nearly the whole house was waiting for them. Seeing Hermione in a sick gown, Padma gave out a cry and came forward to hug her. The two were whispering while clutching each other, though Hermione never left Harry's side.

Richard came forward with an explanation, of why everyone was up. “Sir. I did a head count, and realized these two were missing. The whole house was worried about them.”

Flitwick with a grin, replied “The forest troll found our errant students our for a walk. It tried to kill Hermione, so Harry killed it. Nothing much else to say, other than they are exhausted.” There were gasps and congratulations, from around the room.

Hermione in a bitter voice, “What was his reward for saving a student at this school risking his own life? Was it an award for special services to the school? NO! Is he to get a commendation at dinner tomorrow, for his bravery and self-sacrifice? NO! He was awarded 5 whole points, by Headmistress McGonagall. It’s nice to see what I am worth, at this fine establishment. NOTHING!” she screamed out.

There were gasps around the room, and Rickard glanced worryingly at Flitwick who wouldn’t meet his eyes. ’Oh Merlin! It’s true!’ thought Richard.

Flitwick slightly shook his head and ordered clearly. “Harry! Hermione! Night prep and bed now! I will see you for physical discipline in the morning! Go!”

As they were getting ready to leave, Harry said to Padma, “I don’t want her alone. Could you help her shower? It’s too soon in our relationship, for me to do it.” he explained with a blush penetrating the continuous worry on his face.

Padma blushed to her roots, but gainfully promised “I will help Hermione wash, and see her to bed, Lord Potter.”

Harry said, “My thanks Padma. You are a true friend.” and he went up to shower himself. That blood was gross.

Chapter Text

Chapter 10

After Padma washed Hermione, she brought her back to her room. Padma rarely saw Hermione in the girl's dorm, unless catching her in the bathroom. She had always wondered about that, because there was no gossip of a firstie continuously going down to the common room in a bathrobe, to climb up to the boy's rooms. Many upper-year girls did the walk of shame regularly, but no first years. On bringing Hermione into her dorm room, she saw another door which shouldn't be there, and it was open. On the other side of the door, Padma could see Harry moving around inside wearing a bathrobe too. She brought Hermione over to the door and felt a buzzing from it as she approached.

Worriedly, she said to Hermione, “The door is buzzing.”

Hermione replied listlessly, “Don’t try to go through. The wards will sting you. Harry said, it hurts.” Turning to Padma, she tried to smile, “Thank you, bestie. Will I see you tomorrow?” she asked, still devoid of emotion.

Padma looked uncertainly at Hermione, really worried about her. She then glanced at Harry on the other side of the door. Harry had come over at seeing their approach, but stopped on his side. It appeared, he could not go through either, and by the worry on his face, he would. Padma was going to give her a push, but found herself unable to do so. If Hermione wanted to go into a boy's room, she would have to take that step herself. She gave Hermione a hug and quietly said, “See you tomorrow, bestie.” She then left the room closing the outer door behind her. She had a great deal to tell her sister. Nothing about the secret door, but that still left a great deal of gossip. Tonight’s astronomy class, would allow that nicely.

Hermione just stood there for a minute after Padma left. Harry looked at Hermione's dead eyes, and was very worried, “Hermione? Please come through, I can’t help you over there.” he quietly begged.

Hermione eventually looked at Harry and seeing the worry in his eyes, gave out a cry and ran through the door into his arms. She hung on for dear life, sobbing again. Harry just held her tightly until she had cried herself out. Eventually, when her sobbing had lessened to crying again, Harry slowly guided her to the massage table. “Let’s get you healed and massaged so we can survive tomorrow. Master Flitwick made it clear he will be pushing us tomorrow, and unsympathetic to excuses.”

Hermione pushed him off, “You first. If you massage me, I will fall asleep. I need to do your scars regardless”, and she yanked his robe off and pushed him down on the table. She evidently couldn't care less about him being nude. Harry was a bit shell-shocked at her aggressiveness, and quickly lay down on his belly, hiding a developing erection against the table.

Hermione then treated his scars as she always did, being very careful to coat each and every one completely. There were 97. She had counted them. Once she finished the scars she asked, “What about the scrapes and cuts?”

Harry replied, “Dab some dittany on each cut and it should close.”

Hermione finished with his cuts, watching with wonder as they stitched themselves closed and faded away behind her finger of dittany. She deciding to do his front before using the massage balm. “Turn over.” She ordered.

Harry replied, “but”

Hermione commanded forcefully, “Turn over!” and Harry with a blush, turned over. He had his hands cupped over an obvious erection. Hermione saw this and huffed, as she turned and left the room. Harry wondered what she was doing, but she was back in one minute. When she returned, she was wearing a blue thong…nothing else. She was also holding a bronze pair of underwear in her hand. “Put these on. I was saving them for a gift and a surprise, but we will start using them now. The towels don’t actually hide anything anyway, and they keep getting in the way.”

Harry was staring at her in the bikini thong bottoms, just looking at her breasts. They were beautiful. Hermione had nice sized nipples sticking out a bit…but didn’t look aroused. Harry would have to see them in both states to tell for sure, in the future. Her areolae were smallish and pale colored, barely darker than her skin. He vaguely remembered this was often the case in girls before nursing their first child. Finally, his brain restarted as he realized Hermione just asked something. He then sheepishly said, “Um…what did you just ask?”

Hermione blushed at Harry ogling her breasts, and instinctively covered up, before she dropped her hands in irritation at herself. ’Jeez, they’re just breasts, for Morgana’s sake!’ “I said, get up and put these on. They will cover your genitals while allowing me access to your buttocks to massage you.” And she tossed him the bronze-colored underwear.

Harry grabbed them and looked at how small they were. He raised an eyebrow and Hermione’s eyes flashed as she frowned. He immediately jumped off the bed facing away from her and put them on. For a second, he wondered if this is what it felt like to have your Mum irritated with you. Somehow, he didn’t think sharing that thought with Hermione, would be a good idea right now.

He wondered how his erection would fit, but as soon as he touched the bronze thong to his penis, it deflated quickly and he was able to tuck it away. He then stood up, facing away from her. Hermione giggled as she watched him shifting around trying to settle the small cord than ran down his butt crack to hold the fabric in place over his genitals.

She giggled again when it was obvious he hadn't found a comfortable position. “Turn around, lover boy. Now you have an idea how much fun it is for ladies to have fabric up their butt cracks.”

Harry turned around blushing to his roots, but was immediately distracted by her breasts again. Hermione just shook her head. “I was saving these for Christmas, but I got tired of waiting. Remember, the schedule Harry. No heavy petting outside safe zones for now…except massage, and cuddling over pajamas.”

Harry just looked at her breasts, and recited, “Cuddles now and light kisses when we get the urge, Snogging and heavy petting will start next term if we are ready. Masturbation and nudity in front of each other possibly next summer, mutual masturbation of each other after my 15th birthday, oral possibly that Winter Solstice, full sex after my 16th. I remember.”

Hermione frowned, “Harry…you made that sound so sterile and clinical. Way to remove all the romance and mystery from it.”

Harry frowned back, “Hey! The schedule was your thing! Besides, those are the rough starting points. I like to think we will be a bit more organic about it. Really the only time we cannot move up even one day, is the full sex after my 16th birthday. That law is completely unforgiving on losing virginity before your 16th birthday.”

Hermione, still a bit grouchy about his reciting of her ‘sex schedule’ like a potion recipe, ordered “Get back on the table, and let me treat your front.”

Harry moved back onto the table and lay down. He just looked at his equipment in their small bronze sack and lay his head back with a groan. He did keep his hands to his side this time.

Hermione with a slight smirk, “Goose and Gander, Harry. Goose and Gander.” Harry just nodded and closed his eyes. Hermione then treated the rest of his scars. Once she treated his scars, she used the dittany on his scrapes making them go away. Magic sure was great! Hermione then pulled out the massage cream and started massaging him. Harry groaned, and them squeaked. Something happened in his groin. Thinking about her breasts was making him aroused, but suddenly it faded away. He looked down at his groin wondering what happened, then looked up at Hermione with some concern, and a question in his eyes.

Hermione said quietly, “Did you think I would embarrass you, Harry? I know you are not ready to show me your manhood, aroused, just as I am not ready to share my vulva aroused with you, either. These are special underwear. While we both wear them, neither of us will show our arousal. OK?” she then kissed him on his forehead.

Harry grabbed her hand and squeezed it in gratitude. “You are the best, Mine. I only wish I deserved you.”

SLAP! Hermione had slapped his face!

Harry sat up, more confused than hurt, “What was that for?”

Hermione with a sad and defeated look in her eyes, responded angrily, “You saved my life Harry. You will be the next Merlin! You are a Lord for an ancient world-famous family, and you killed a troll at 14. How are you worthy of me? Don’t be absurd! How could I ever be worthy of you!” she said unable to meet his eyes and with deep self-loathing.

Harry reached out and grabbed her face, holding it tightly, her breasts forgotten for the moment, “You listen to me Hermione Granger!" he scolded "The Potter Foible always picks the best! Not third, or second, but the best witch of the generation! It has been that way for over 1000 years. EVERYBODY knows you are worthy! EVERYBODY knows you are the best, and more than worthy of me. It is me, who has to prove my worthiness of you! This is the point of the curse! To teach Potters humility. You should know! You read, how it took my father five long years of suffering to learn that lesson!”

Hermione then cried out, “Then why did that bitch mark my life as only worth five points?!” tears falling down her face, again.

Harry then growled, in return, “Oh you mean the Dumbledore supporter who helped arrange for me to be tortured by Muggles? That woman? Care to think about that for a minute?” he asked sarcastically.

Hermione paused, then thought, “So you think it is more about you than me. She is belittling me, to cheapen and weaken you.”

Harry nodded, “Those are my thoughts…even if she didn’t do it consciously, she did do it, and I will see her destroyed for it…no matter how long it takes.” he vowed.

Hermione nodded. “Let’s get this done. Turn over." Harry lay back down and, turned over. Hermione than massaged his back, paying particular attention to his buttocks. Harry didn’t want to admit it, but the thong underwear allowed her to thoroughly massage his buttocks without getting in the way, and kept him from responding and having to stop her. It was wonderful.

Soon it was Hermione's turn. Harry applied dittany to her scrapes and cuts before he massaged Hermione’s back, also appreciating how the thong allowed him to massage her buttocks, while covering the regions between her legs. His only problem was when she turned over, and those breasts were staring back at him.

Hermione seeing Harry's eyes glaze over staring at her chest again, huffed “Harry…just massage me…including my pecs. You know my chest muscles are being worked very hard trying to build up my upper-body strength. Just massage the muscles and ignore the breast tissue above them. There isn’t enough worth your attention, there anyway.” she said bitterly.

At this point Harry had begun massaging her chest, but at her comment switched to grabbing two handfuls of her breasts…squeezing them authoritatively, and a bit painfully. Hermione’s eyes snapped open at the sudden mauling and stinging from her breasts. She looked up at Harry with concern. He was glaring down at her eyes, very angry.

Harry replied equal parts angry and hurt, “Just because I cannot spank you, doesn’t mean I will not find a way to share my disgust, if you do something extremely offensive to me. You are the best, most beautiful woman in the world, and I am tired of hearing you put yourself down.” He then released her breasts now that he had her attention and continued with the massage. “Do you understand me, Mine?” he said with a bit of a threat in it.

Hermione blushed and said meekly, “Yes, my love. I will try…but having a headmistress call you worthless and make it stick, hurt me.”

Harry placed both hands on the sides of her head and looked in her eyes. “You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.”

Harry while looking in her eyes, continued to recite the poem. “Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers. Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again.”

“Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting-over and over announcing your place in the family of things.” he finished and continued to stare lovingly in her eyes.

Hermione just looked at him, absorbing the poem and the emotion Harry projected to her as he recited it. After another few seconds, Harry continued, “While people like Flitwick are rapidly becoming important to me, nobody, and I mean nobody, matters compared to you. You are my everything, Mine.” Harry said quietly and he gently bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips with everything he had.

Hermione teared up again at the love in that kiss…HER FIRST KISS! It just took her breath away. She cryingly answered, “Me too, my everything, me too.” Harry then finished her massage.

They took their potions, put on their pajamas, and went to bed cuddling tightly. Both of their shirts rose up a bit, as they each sought out skin contact, and hugged each other tightly. Modesty was important, but they each needed the skin contact to sleep at all. As it was, Harry spent much of the night just looking at his witch...and thinking dark thoughts of retribution, about those threatening her.

Despite skiving off Astronomy, they were still tired the next day. The two, quickly changed and made it to morning discipline with time to spare. Despite being on time, Flitwick worked them hard. Hermione found herself sting-hexed twice when her effort wasn’t up to her Master’s standard. Both times she squealed, kept her mouth shut, and worked harder. The only other evidence of her punishment was the sudden tears in her eyes as she kept working.

Once class had ended, and Flitwick sent everyone else away, he called Hermione and Harry over. “Today you will hold your head up! You are my apprentices and no one…I mean no one, will tell you that you are worthless! Do you understand, Hermione?”

Hermione just launched herself into his arms and was sobbing again. He just held her while she hugged him tightly, crying at his words.

Flitwick looked up at Harry, unsure about what was happening, while he continued to hold her.

Harry answered the unasked question, “We had a rough night sir. She was damaged significantly by those words. I consider it enemy action.”

Flitwick had started looking down at Hermione until the last. Flitwick’s head snapped up at that. “Be careful Harry." Flitwick warned, "Never start a battle, you don’t have an almost guaranteed chance to win. Doing otherwise is just stupid. Leave that for Gryffindors.”

With a hostile look in his eyes, Harry asked, “What do you recommend sir. I cannot let this go.”

Flitwick grinned but cautioned, “Stay careful, and proper for now. Share your story and how you feel about it, but play the wounded warrior who was ambushed, never having unsheathed his sword. What did you do to warrant such a baseless and cowardly attack? Until I have the two of you under iron-clad apprentice contracts, we can be separated…the two of you, can be separated. You must prevent that at all costs.” Hermione just sobbed louder, hearing the threat.

After a few minutes she slowed down and let go of Master Flitwick. “We skived off astronomy last night. We deserve to be punished.” she admitted.

Flitwick sighed, “I excused you from the class, you will make up the assignment. No punishment is necessary.” Flitwick expected Hermione to be relieved at this, but she started sobbing anew. Flitwick thought about her, and didn’t have an answer. He looked at Harry with a question in his eye, again.

Harry hung his head in defeat. “She knows you care sir, but now she needs to know she has worth,” he answered quietly. “Value that deserves defending and cherishing. From what I am feeling from her, she believes you don’t punish her appropriately, because she isn’t worth the effort. If she had true value, you would punish her each time she lessened herself, because it mattered. Your words reach her head, but are not reaching her heart." He then looked up at Flitwick with a look of concern in his eyes, "You know what you must do…she has certainly mentioned it enough times.” He finished with uncertainty in his voice. Like he couldn’t believe what he was saying either.

Flitwick thought about what Harry was reading off Hermione using the curse. ’It made a sort of paradoxical sense. He remembered being a young warrior, and while he didn’t enjoy his master’s discipline, it was much better than being ignored as unimportant and beneath notice. Who knows? Maybe a proper roasting would set her to rights. It was worth a shot.’

Flitwick drew himself up and frowned, “Apprentice Granger! Stand before me!” he bellowed.

Hermione suddenly shocked out of her self-recrimination, was suddenly worried, and stood at attention before her master.

Flitwick glared at her and growled, “I have told you many times, you are important to me. You are a valuable apprentice with a great deal of raw potential. I will do everything necessary to see you meet that potential and expect excellence from you at all times! For a lesser witch, missing class last night, can be considered no great loss, but I know what you are capable of, and will not see you shirk in any way!”

Continuing to look sternly at her, “You apparently need convincing, I am serious about this! As punishment we will duel. The duel will not end until one of us is tagged with 10 sting hexes. Aim where you wish, but I will be aiming for your bottom! Take position!”

Hermione uncertainly stepped into position across from her Master, and readied her wand. She knew the sting hex, but hadn't used it. This was going to really hurt. “Ten Stings, Fight!” yelled Flitwick who paused to see what Hermione did. She just stood there.

Flitwick flicked his wand and a spark shot out and across the room, before it arced around and smacked into her bottom. She jumped, letting out an “EEEK!”. Before she did more than take another step, another hit her bottom “Yowch! That hurt!” she yelled.

This continued with her still trying to dodge even after the 9th had her drop her wand and squeal, holding her bottom with both hands, while sobbing. He flicked again and her eyes widened in fear, seeing the spark shooting toward her. Hermione dived to the side actually causing him to miss. However, the follow up shot didn’t, and she howled while kicking her legs against the ground, and rubbing her bottom fiercely.

“Halt! Duel concluded! Get up apprentice!” Hermione then pulled herself up and tried to stand at attention, but she was unable to stop rubbing her very sore bottom. Flitwick ignored her deficiency.

While still trying to stand at attention, Hermione looked at Flitwick with fear, and something else in her eyes.

Looking back sternly, her Master ominously instructed her “I trust we won’t have a repeat of this behavior, apprentice! You are the top student of your class and I expect great things from you! That will not occur if you skip class! Understood?”

Hermione again tried with limited success to come to attention, “Yes, Sir! Sorry, Sir!” She then broke discipline, and looked at him. “Am I forgiven?” she whispered with hope.

Flitwick opened his arms for a hug for the first time in his life, “Oh, my brave and talented daughter, yes you are!” and Hermione rushed into his arms crying. But, this was the crying of relief, and no longer the desolate sobs she had been delivering.

Note: Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

Chapter Text

Chapter 11

Once Hermione had cried her frustration and insecurity out, Flitwick released her. “Remember daughter, that was a punishment. You will not balm your bottom until bedtime tonight. Both of you must pay full price for your transgression, to regain your Honor.” he firmly explained.

“Wait…Harry too?” questioned Hermione, still wincing from her extremely sore bottom.

Flitwick then looked at her in feigned confusion, “Wait! Did he go to class and leave you behind?”

Hermione blushed in embarrassment, “You know very well, he missed class too, Master.” She said with some exasperation.

“Then he has a debt too." Turning to Harry, Master Flitwick commanded, "Apprentice Potter, 10 sting hex duel! Present yourself!”

Harry snapped to attention “Sir!” It was obvious he fully expected this outcome. Harry walked over and pulled his wand, releasing his magic.

“Ten Stings, Fight!” Unlike Hermione, Harry didn’t stand still. He sent a blast of raw magic at Flitwick. Flitwick was rocked by the unbelievable power, but it was undisciplined and he was able to shield and deflect most of the magic. He then sent a barrage of sting-hexes at Harry.

Harry saw them burn toward him and tried to shield, but not knowing how, was only able to block one, and dodge two. Three immediately found his back side. He grunted in pain and thought to himself, 'Well if he can cast many at once...' Harry thought about a machinegun and suddenly a flurry of sting hexes were pouring out of his wand and flying at Flitwick. Most were zipping by, hitting the floor and ceiling, while others peppered his shield until it broke and one landed on his thigh.

Flitwick grunted and grinned, but kept moving and returning fire. Soon, despite the continuous onslaught, he tagged Harry with a 10th hex.

“Halt. Duel Concluded. Attention, Apprentice Potter!” Harry ended the stream and snapped to attention, though there was a bit of wavering in his posture indicating he was definitely uncomfortable. “Did you learn your lesson, Apprentice Potter?” Flitwick asked with a frown.

Harry replied, with a straight face. “I don’t think so, Sir. I still harbor the idea that sacrificing myself for my mate is appropriate and honorable. I’m afraid you will find a repeat of this behavior in the future, sir!”

Hermione groused, “Harry!” while Flitwick laughed loudly.

“Well said, Troll-killer, well said! Fighting and sacrificing for family and clan is rarely without Honor!” thinking for a second, he was about to continue when Harry blurted out.

“Troll-killer?”

Flitwick would usually reprimand anyone foolish enough to interrupt him, but this was new and important. “Yes, Troll-killer. When Duende do something great, something greater than they had previously done. They are granted a name in honor of the accomplishment. Troll-killer is appropriate, don’t you think?” he said with a grin.

Harry grinned back, as nothing was more important than saving his mate. Flitwick obviously understood this.

Harry turned to Hermione, “See Hermione? I earned a Duende war name defending you! That could not happen if you weren’t of extreme value!”

Hermione looked at Harry, then turned to Flitwick, “Thank you for honoring my mate, Master. I will make sure all our kits know the story of his first honor-name, so the family doesn't forget the honor you did us this day.”

Flitwick grinned. Hermione had been studying again. He shook his head and got back to his original thought. “While I did not wish to start your dueling in such a fashion, I can see we have much potential and no time to waste. We will conclude each magical discipline with duels. Obviously punishment duels will be saved for when I have a point to make, and when a debt needs to be paid.” With a smile at the two youths standing in front of him. Hermione was nervous for a second at the daily dueling, but the clarification eased her concerns...somewhat.

Turning to Hermione, “Be proud, you dodged one of my hexes. Most don’t, especially this early in their training. Expect dueling again this afternoon, as that will be the new normal. Remember, usually you will be able to balm after dueling practice, but because you had a punishment duel today, that includes a time penalty on balming. Today it is until bedtime. Other punishment duels could result in significantly longer times. Be aware. Now, off with you.”

Since it was Saturday, most first-years were having a lie-in from Astronomy the previous night. Harry and Hermione were able to survive their showers without anyone seeing their badly stung bottoms, indicating they had received a proper roasting. They both rushed back to their rooms and quickly changed into regular clothes, before going to breakfast.

Unfortunately, they had forgotten the quidditch team practiced Saturday mornings, so as to not interfere with Hogsmeade weekends. As such, they were nearly always at breakfast. Richard saw Harry gasp, and Hermione yelp with some tears in her eyes, on trying to sit down. They quickly gave up and knelt on the bench instead. “What happened? I thought you two went straight to bed last night.” Richard asked with some concern.

Harry with a red face, had trouble meeting Richard's eyes as he answered, “We did, but we forgot to get up again for Astronomy. Master Flitwick explained to our bottoms this morning, such an error would be expensive in the future, with a sound example provided today." He sighed and looked at Richard, "We will survive. He is letting us balm our bottoms at bedtime tonight, so we can sit tomorrow.”

The Quidditch team winced, and looked sympathetic. Richard frowned and shook his head, slightly puzzled. “I have never seen him take such a personal interest in a couple of firsties. The two of you are going to be something spectacular.” he decided.

Hermione gushed with bright eyes and a smile, “You should have seen Harry during the punishment duel! No idea how to make a shield, and he blocks Master Flitwick’s stings a few times. He even took down his shield and tagged him once, too!”

Harry blushed and looked back at Hermione, “Don’t sell yourself short. Even when you were sobbing in pain and dropped your wand, you still dodged that tenth hex. He needed to fire an eleventh to finish it. You never gave up.”

Richard’s eyes lit with approval. “As I said, something spectacular.” And he turned back to his breakfast.

After breakfast, the Quidditch team left to go to the field. A few looked at Harry and raised their eyes in invitation, wondering if he would join them.

Harry looked torn, but turned to Hermione with worry.

Seeing this, she smiled and said, “I’ll be fine, Go. Have fun flying.”

Harry kissed her on her forehead and ran after the team.

Hermione watched him run off with fond exasperation...until she winced when she shifted her weight. Her bottom really hurt! She was kneeling there figuring out what to do next, when McGonagall came up.

McGonagall on arriving just looked at Hermione and said neutrally, “Miss Granger, the Headmaster would like to see you now.”

Hermione was confused, “Um…isn’t he supposed to send such requests through my Head of house? The rule book says I need my head of house present, to meet with the headmaster.” she said with a question in her voice.

McGonagall replied calmly but forcefully, “The Headmaster is a very busy man. He has time for you now. You will come now.”

Hermione cried out suddenly scared, “I can’t do that! Without someone there I can trust, it is a violation of the school rules! You should know that!” Hermione’s voice carried so some of the Slytherin’s and Hufflepuffs were now paying attention.

McGonagall looked furious at being refused. She then ordered more forcefully, “Calm yourself, young lady! I will be there! I will represent you!”

Hermione then yelled out fearfully, “How is that supposed to make me feel safe?! Last night I was almost killed by a troll in this school! Harry risked his life to kill the troll! You rewarded him for saving my life at the risk of his own, with FIVE USELESS POINTS! You told the world you consider me valueless and useless! I DO NOT TRUST YOU!” she yelled loudly and emphatically.

McGonagall just looked at her in disbelief. It was obvious this young witch truly didn't trust her...even feared her! She then glanced around the room and realized there were multiple witnesses to Hermione’s tirade, and all looked surprised, but were paying attention. “We just want to talk.” She said consolingly.

Hermione with tears streaming down her eyes, continued loudly “Do you know what you did to me? Telling me I was worth five points, destroyed me! No, I don’t want to talk to you. I want NOTHING to do with you! If Headmaster Dumbledore wishes to meet, I will be glad to…once I am escorted by Master Flitwick, my HEAD OF HOUSE! Good day, madam!” and Hermione ran away. There was an immediate rise in speaking and it all appeared to be in regards to this conversation.

McGonagall called out “Miss Granger!” and got no response as Hermione ran. She pulled her wand, and was about to stop Hermione, when she realized all eyes were on her, and they were judging and talking to each other while looking at her. Instead with a frown, Minerva sheathed her wand, and stalked away.

Hermione came running out to the quidditch pitch, hysterical. Harry felt something was wrong and met her at the entrance to the pitch. “What happened Hermione?” Harry exclaimed.

“She…She tried…McGonagall tried to force me to meet with her and the headmaster, without you or Master Flitwick present! She intended to violate my rights, and who knows what else! I’m scared, Harry! I’m so scared!” she sobbed out.

Harry yelled, “Hogwarts, I need help!”

Daisy appeared, “What is wrong, Herme’s Harry Potter?”

Harry then entreated the small creature, “My Hermione has been threatened, and is scared. Can you tell us where Master Flitwick is? We desperately need his help.”

Daisy cocked her head to the side, and then sadly replied, “He’s not at Hogwarts. I left a message with his personal elf. I am sorry. Miss Herme. It’s all I can do.” And she popped away.

“We will go to our personal training room." Harry suddenly decided, "Only Flitwick can join us there. We will not come out, until he joins us at 3pm. Let’s go!” and they ran.

Meanwhile Flitwick was at Gringotts. He was waiting in line for a teller when a messenger came up to him, and saluted. Speaking Duende, he called out, "Short-blade! Please join us in the break room."

Filius grinned, and followed along.

After reaching the room, the messenger politely asked, “Mead or Grog?”

Flitwick shook his head and stated, “Business first. I need to see the Potter account manager immediately. It is about his charge and the future of the family.”

The messenger blinked at such a serious request. “I will tell him.” And he left immediately.

Barely ten minutes later, another messenger came running up, “This way, Short-blade.” And they both jogged off. Walking was for lazy wizards.

Soon Flitwick was let into a plush office. Grokt Blood-axe came forward and clasped forearms with Filius. “Short-blade! It’s good to see you! What is this about?”

Getting to the meat as any worthy Duende warrior would, Short-blade replied “You know Harry has come to Hogwarts?”

Blood-axe's face became flushed with anger, “Yes, and he is yet to show his face at the bank! He was here, took some money and left! No curtesy! Nothing!”

Short-blade replied curtly, “Not his fault. He has been an abused slave these last 13 years, and told nothing of his family, honor, or responsibilities. Dumbledore’s doing!”

Short-blade continued, “I am here because he has already activated the Potter Foible and locked onto a fiery, brilliant and loyal Partial Magus! I need to claim them both as apprentices to protect them from that monster. He will separate them, if he sees the need!”

Blood-axe snorted, “Impossible! The will was sealed, so not activated. Harry has no protections against the old goat, as Dumbledore declared himself his wizarding guardian, and tried to use that to get funds. I effectively blocked all fund withdrawals, as I demanded receipts of expenditures for the child before any money could be handed over. If what you say is true, its not like they spent any money on him, anyway. However, while I can block him at the bank, he has the authority at their ministry.” He paused a second. “Now the female…she is in your house?”

Short-blade nodded.

“Well, that means you are her magical guardian, but your headmaster can take that from you at any time. What do you hope to accomplish today?” he asked with some irritation.

Flitwick took out a contract and placed it on the desk. “This is Lily Potter nee Evans' Apprenticeship contract! I never terminated it!”

Blood-axe just looked at him, as leaving a contract like that open after one-side died, was magically expensive, and wasteful. With a huff, he examined the document carefully. After a few minutes, he looked up at Flitwick and thought for another minute…then he looked piercingly at Flitwick realizing what he intended.

“What is he to you?” Blood-axe brusquely asked.

Short-blade growled, “Lily Evans was my daughter! I was assured her kit was fine, but have now found out Dumbledore had him abused to try to make him an obscurus! It is a wonder, the boy hasn’t been broken beyond all hope!” he all but yelled.

Flitwick then paused and in a cold voice replied, “My honor died the day I saw Harry’s back! It was entirely covered in whip scars!” He looked in Grokt’s eyes, “I already consider Harry’s mate my daughter, and now will take Harry as my apprentice to see him to an honorable adulthood, in the hopes I can regain my honor!”

Blood-axe looked at him with sympathy. Losing your honor by way of family tragedy was…well more than he would want to endure. “Very well, I will help you.” He looked down again, at the contract. “With your magic claiming him as a grankit and his mate as your kit, this just might work! If we can stress this and force it more open...you can get their oaths and magic signatures on this, and you have a chance!” he then pulled out another contract. “Get her parents to sign this. It will make your magical guardianship of her official, and then Dumbledore can’t interfere in it.” He then pulled out a magical marriage contract. “You know what to do here too.”

Flitwick clasped arms, and immediately left. Grokt thought about the situation. It wasn’t optimal, to have another clan the magical guardian and Master to his client, but Flitwick Short-blade was honorable and a pure warrior. He had sacrificed himself to represent Duende in that damn school going on half a century now. He shuddered. Not surprising those damn wizards had betrayed him, but to lose family to betrayal and also cost you your honor? He sighed.

Blood-axe thought about the plan. Flitwick had a long road ahead of him, but if he succeeded, Potter would be tied to the Duende more than any Wizard in generations. Grokt grinned. It may be enough to regain Patronage…we will see.

Harry and Hermione were working at the marble table. Harry had created a second chair for Hermione, with Harry on it in a silk loincloth in his adult form…she insisted and he couldn’t refuse. She forced him to redo it using a model of himself she created. He blushed, looking at it, as he didn't believe he looked that way, but who was he to argue with her.

At just after 3:30 Flitwick came through the door and slammed it shut. He turned and saw his kits, and there was a palpable release of tension at seeing them.

Flitwick stormed over to them and exclaimed, “If you do not wish to be my official apprentices with all that means…tell me now and we will leave this room. Otherwise, we have a battle to win. What say you?”

Hermione looked at him and asked, “What exactly will be your goals, responsibilities, and rights with me if I declare myself your apprentice?”

Flitwick looked at her, piercingly. “I have just come from your parents. Unfortunately, I had to tell them the truth about your situation, so they are very angry and scared now.”

Hermione looking distressed, “Why?”

“To get this.” And he placed a magical guardian contract in front of her. “This is a magical guardian contract. Dumbledore can’t just take this from me as it is contractual, and not just an extension of ‘in loco parentis.’ As of today, I am your magical guardian, Hermione.”

Flitwick paused for a second as she examined the document, “Now to answer your question. As my apprentice, you would effectively be my daughter, with a few caveats. Your education, support, and discipline would all be as if you are my actual daughter. The only thing I usually could not do, is marry you off. However, with the extension of magical guardian, I now have that right as well.”

Hermione than looked at him calmly, understanding where this was leading. “You have been teaching and protecting me for the last two months. You even punished me when you had no wish to do so, because you saw I needed it…something I hope my heart does not require you to do again, because that still hurts!” she admitted with a whine.

Flitwick just gave her a cold smile. After all, it was supposed to hurt!

Hermione continued, “If you can guarantee to me that no one can separate Harry and me ever again, I will be your apprentice and do my best to make you proud…as long as it doesn’t interfere with my Lord’s house and with our family when we feel children are appropriate.”

Flitwick then pulled out a series of contracts. He looked at Harry, “You Heir Potter? Will you sign yourself as my full apprentice?”

Harry looked Flitwick in the eyes, “Swear on your honor and your clan that you will bind Hermione and I together forevermore and I will sign.”

Flitwick, with a serious face, took off his glove and pulled his dirk. He sliced his hand, and while his blood dripped on the floor, oathed “I, Filius Flitwick Shortblade of the Clan Fodrumk, swear on my Honor and the Honor of Clan Fodrumk, that I will bind Harold Jameson Potter Troll-killer, future Earl Potter to Hermione Jane Granger under current Potter Foible, as soon as it is my ability to do so, with no deception allowed. This I swear on my Strength, my Honor, my Blood, and my Magic. So Mote It!” he then cleaned his blade and sheathed it. The cut on his hand was now gone.

Harry nodded and Flitwick then pulled out Lily’s contract. “Both of you look at this. This is the key to your salvation.”

Hermione looked at the contract. “That’s an apprenticeship contract! Lily Potter nee Evan’s contract!”

Flitwick replied, “Exactly, and I never terminated it…even after her death was verified. It was too painful. That means the contract is still active, still trying to bind a master and apprentice together. We are going to have the two of you sign under her name as additional apprentices, after I write your names in above. If this works, once we all sign it, it should reactivate and lock, considering Harry is her son and you are locked in the Potter Foible. Sympathetic magic should make it happen. We stressed the contract enough to make it a bit sloppy…at least until it locks closed again.”

Flitwick then wrote Harry and Hermione’s names under prospective apprentices using a blood quill. The names appeared and glowed slightly…as if waiting. Flitwick said, “Harry you must go next to pave the way for your mate.”

Harry nodded, took the quill and signed his whole name. He gasped when the name was scratched into the top of his hand, but that quickly faded. However, his name was signed in blood…his blood…willingly given.

Harry then instinctively, put his hand on the contract and recited the apprentice oath on it. “I, Harold Jameson Potter Troll-killer, Heir Potter, do swear to honor my apprentice bond. I swear to obey my master, to learn from my master, to protect my master, to accept my master’s discipline, to keep my master's secrets. All this I will do so long as he doesn’t purposefully endanger my Mate and young. So Mote It!” There was a flash and his signature glowed gold while the contract started vibrating.

Flitwick worryingly said, “Quickly Hermione, the magic is making things unstable, do it!”

Hermione grabbed the quill and quickly signed Hermione Jane Granger. She also gasped at the sharp sensation of her name scratched into the top of her hand. She then placed her hand on the contract, “I Hermione Jane Granger, future Countess Potter, do swear to honor my apprentice bond. I swear to obey my master, to learn from my master, to protect my master, to accept my master’s discipline, to keep my master's secrets. All this I will do so long as he doesn’t purposefully endanger my Lord and young. So Mote It!” and her signature flashed gold before the whole contract flashed bright white and vanished with a pop.

One minute later, letters popped on the table indicating the apprentice bond was now recorded and the original was in the Gringotts hall of records, and the Potter vaults…with copies sent to the ministry.

Filius then breathed out a sigh of relief.

Hermione then uncertainly asked, “Is that it?”

Flitwick said, “No…I have an oath to honor.” He then pulled out a marriage contract which bound the two together. Permanent magical marriage. No divorce, no loopholes, no second chance. But also, no mandatory children by any set date.

“Read this Hermione. Once you sign this, you will be married under magic. For the sake of your parents, I oathed you would be on egg stasis potion until you were at least 18 years old, and would oath and bind yourselves under their faith before your first child delivered. It was all I could promise them. You will regret making a liar of me, so don’t.”

Hermione read the contract and cried tears of joy. She quickly signed it, now ignoring the twinge on the back of her hand, and turned it to Harry. Harry read it and signed it too.

The two of them clasped their right hands while placing their left hands on the contract. They then recited together, “On my magic and my soul, I bind myself to my wife Hermione Jane Granger, Countess Potter/my Lord Harold Jameson Potter Troll-killer, Earl Potter. In this world and the next, I will have no other. I will honor my mate, cherish my mate, guard my mate, bear/raise and cherish our children, keep my mate’s property, and guard my mate’s secrets. I swear this to the end of time. So Mote It Be.”

There was a flash and the contract was gone. The Potter Lord and Lady rings were now on their fingers. Flitwick looked at their hands, and nodded. Nothing could separate them now…except death. Time to beard the lion.

Chapter Text

Chapter 12

Harry and Hermione looked at the rings and grinned. They turned to Master Flitwick, who was also looking at the rings, “I want each of you to think ‘hide’ at the rings. They should stay invisible until you call them, just like your wand holsters.”

They both thought hard and the two rings faded away to nothing, similar to their wand holsters.

Hermione, in a bit of a manic state, now that the threat of separation from Harry was ended, said in an overly snarky voice “Well Master...what else are you teaching us today? Personally, I would like the shield charm. Not having a chance to block your stings, wasn’t as bad as being bent over the dining room table, bare-bottomed for chastisement, but it was close.” and she grinned.

Flitwick grinned back…the cheek of his daughter! He then worked them hard, teaching exactly that. Their shields weren’t much, but by the end of class they both were able to create one. Soon it was time to leave.

Flitwick stood in front of them, “Attention!”

Both snapped to attention, and properly. He nodded to himself. “Listen! Things are different now. The two of you are officially my apprentices in magic, and by Gringotts and ICW law. The ministry has 48 hours to intervene, but little ground to do so. If they don’t try in the next 48 hours, even that little chance is gone. Don’t advertise it!” he sternly warned.

Hermione looked worriedly at her master, “Can they nullify it?” and her hand twitched, almost reaching for Harry.

Flitwick noticed the gaffe, but chose to ignore it. “No, but they can make a stink, by bringing us up in front of the Wizengamot. It would be little more than a publicity stunt to complain on poor Harry's behalf, but since Harry willingly signed the contract in his blood, and oathed himself, there is little they can do despite his young age. In theory, they can fire me, but that will mean I take my apprentices with me, something they would be careful to avoid." He grinned like a shark, "Having your hero leave the country with his Master, would be something they definitely don't want to see happen. We have already been acting like apprentice and Master since day one. No one will notice a change there, unless pointed out. The main issue is the marriage, but because the marriage is magical and again bound by blood, oath, and magic, it is irreversible by Magic and ICW law. It forced Harry and by extension you, into Minor Emancipation.”

Harry frowned, “So we are adults now?” he asked disbelievingly.

Flitwick warned, “Only superficially. You are married, so no magical guardian has any say over your house or family. This also frees the Potter Accounts to be under your control. Even if emancipated at your age, you need a guardian. I talked with the Grangers, and they expect the two of you home at their house for holidays and summers. They wish to get to know their son-in-law before you marry and they become grandparents. In the mundane world they will be your guardians Harry, not the Dursleys."

He gave another cold smile, "Don’t worry about the Dursleys. I hear they will soon get sick and die…so sad.”

Harry and Hermione both grinned at that.

Flitwick went on, “In the magical world, you are my apprentices and as such, I have more rights and obligations than a guardian, so that is automatically folded into the apprenticeship. However as your master, I am specifically disallowed from having anything to do with your household and family. You will have your Gringotts account manager, who can act as your steward for your household affairs, unless you name someone else. You will need a proxy for House Potter interacting with the ministry. Before you ask, no I will not be your proxy. One, I have no wish to lose that much time, and two, even if I did, it would not help house Potter to be represented by Duende. Agree or disagree as you wish, that is the world we live in. Either way, the ministry will only superficially complain about your emancipation, as my relationship with you as your Master, means there is an adult ready to sting your bottoms, if you get frisky and forget your responsibilities. Clear?” he warned with a look.

Harry nodded, “I can live with that.” Then with a manic grin, he bowed his head, and pitched his voice low. With as much malevolence as he could put into his voice, Harry asked, “What are your orders, my Master?” in a fair imitation of Darth Maul.

Flitwick grinned before also pitching his voice low, and ordering with an ominous rasp, “Recover the Death Star plans, destroy the rebels, and bring Skywalker before me, my apprentice.”

Hermione just looked from Harry to Flitwick, and back to Harry. ”Star Wars…SERIOUSLY?” she almost screeched.

Flitwick winced, “Your mate is loud,” He said matter-of-fact to Harry.

Harry just shook his head. “Hey! She’s your daughter...must come from your side of the family.” he insisted.

Hermione stomped her foot, “Harry! Master! Stop it!” she screeched.

Harry just pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back while she shook in frustration.

While holding her tightly, Harry soothingly said, “Hermione, this is how warriors prepare for battle. You break the stress however you can. Some use drugs, some fight, some gamble, some joke. I would prefer to have athletic jungle sex with my wife, but since that isn’t yet on the table...now there’s an idea! Taking you on a table!” Harry said with a grin, “…anyway since we can’t, I joked. Aren’t you happy Master got the reference immediately? It means that our Master is not clueless about the mundane world, unlike those useless purebloods!”

Hermione grinned, “It does…doesn’t it?” Her face then clouded over and she turned to Master Flitwick, “Did you hear what that bitch tried?” she again yelled.

Flitwick closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath. He let it out before looking at Hermione, “Daughter…unless you want another punishment duel right now, I suggest you stop yelling at me, and calling the Assistant headmistress…who happens to be my immediate superior, a bitch. I get you now have vendetta against her, but this is precisely why you still need a guardian, in your life. Diplomacy isn’t just a word, and there are plenty of ways to call her a bitch, without actually being called out, and bent over the table for it. We will have to get the two of you in a pure-blood customs and comportment class. Being an Earl and Countess will make it mandatory. Now daughter…unless we are starting that duel immediately, care to try again?” he seriously warned.

Hermione looked mulishly at her Master for a second when he raised his eyebrow at her, daring her to be so stupid. She realized ten more sting-hexes on her already bruised bottom would be stupidly Gryffindor, and likely hurt more than she was willing to experience.

Hermione schooled her face, “Sorry Master. Headmistress McGonagall came to me after lunch and demanded I go with her to see Headmaster Dumbledore. When I questioned her on your presence, she said the Headmaster, was too busy to wait for you. When I said that I had no one to trust, she volunteered herself.”

Hermione shuddered at the memory, “I informed her I found that unacceptable and exactly why. We were in the Great Hall and I was not quiet, so many overheard. She ordered me to go anyway. I refused and indicated I would only go with your presence. I then ran away to find Harry. She demanded I stay, and I ran faster. I am surprised she didn’t force me. When I told Harry what happened, he had us fort up in here, and wait for you.”

Flitwick frowned, he had heard something was brewing, but was now glad they moved as fast as they did. “Daughter, I need you to take that memory and push it at me. I am not a skilled legilimens, but have enough skill to take a memory willingly shared.”

Hermione thought for a few seconds then said, “Ready, Master.”

Flitwick put both hands on each side of her head whispered “Legilimens!” and pressed his head to hers for a second. He then pulled it away and blinked. “That…very well, thank you daughter.” He then looked at the two of them. "Remember we will meet with the Headmaster after dinner. Be ready. Dismissed!" and the two ran off.

Harry and Hermione went and quickly showered before dinner, like they always do. Hermione raced through the shower, not feeling safe without Harry present. As she got out, her bathrobe was missing. She quickly dried and wrapped a towel around her waist before stepping into the center of the bathroom. Her heart just dropped to see Cho and her friend Marietta waiting for her. ’I’m really starting to dislike this Potter Luck thing!’ Hermione thought to herself.

Hermione just stood there with a towel wrapped around her waist, “What do you want Cho? I have Harry waiting for me, so make it quick.” She said trying to keep her voice nonchalant.

Marietta looked at Cho, “Wow. Listen to the bitch telling us what to do. I wonder where she gets her bravery?” she asked her voice dripping with scorn.

Cho sarcastically replied, “From the end of Potter’s dick no doubt, the little slut.” Looking at Hermione’s breasts, she said, “It certainly isn’t those child breasts of hers keeping him interested.” And Marietta gave out a nasty laugh herself.

Hermione rolled her eyes, “Cho, mine are developing nicely…and keeping Heir Potter interested, just fine. I suspect mine are bigger than yours. What with you, stuffing.”

Cho screeched, “I do not!”

Hermione just looked at her with disbelief, “Sure you don’t. Is that really the best you’ve got? Like I said, I’m in a hurry, so if you don’t have anything else.” And Hermione tried to push past them.

Cho moved to block the door, and Marietta reached out and yanked the towel from Hermione.

Marietta overtly looked down at the pubic hair on Hermione and smirked, “Wow…you don’t shave…what a dirty little mud-blood.” She said with disgust. She then reached over and yanked out a couple pubic hairs from Hermione’s trimmed bush.

Hermione was aware witches were cleanshaven, but hadn’t decided to go that far yet. She was still discussing it with her mother…and whether she would get Harry to do so, too.

Hermione winced at the pulled hair, but didn’t give Marietta the satisfaction of crying out.

Chang then replied, “It’s disgusting. Keeping her hair to pretend to be an adult, and not a child…and missing the whole point of why witches are cleanshaven! Considering you are still a child, it definitely has to be your mouth keeping Potter entertained. Pretty much all a mud-blood is worth.”

Marietta had moved behind her and saw her bottom. SMACK! “Ouch!” yelled Hermione and she couldn’t help but rub her bottom with some tears in her eyes now.

Marietta replied, “Aww. The bad girl got herself a proper spanking. Was it for being caught sucking Harry’s cock? Maybe it was Harry who spanked her after he caught her sucking someone else’s cock? We know how you mud-bloods are.”

Hermione just stood there, starting to get a bit afraid. SNAP! and there was a spark in her hair again, as she released her magic instinctively trying to protecting herself. See backpedaled away, to put the wall to her bottom to keep Marietta from doing that again. It stung!

Suddenly she was a bit ashamed of herself. She had her wand and forgot all about it! Time to go on the offence. “Wow, did you just say that to me? I wonder what Harry will do, when he finds out his intended was called a mud-blood by the Changs. I didn’t know you were death-eaters and blood purists. His mother is a hero to him, not his father…his mother. You know…a first-gen like me. I wonder how he will take that comment. Kind of violently, vindictively, and with much pain I would expect…you know how the Potter’s can be…what with the Potter Foible and all. Piss off girls! Unless you want things to get interesting.” She threatened.

She then looked at Chang with a nasty smile of her own, “Say…didn’t Master Flitwick promise you a sore bottom if he found you bullying again Chang? I wonder if he would let me watch, while he makes you scream.”

Cho now furious, came forward with a raised hand, "You little bitch!"

Suddenly there was the sound of a counter-curse and the door popped open. No one noticed that Hermione’s wand was now in her hand.

“Who locked the bathroom door?" And Natalie came into the room. She took one look at Chang and Marietta standing across from Hermione and yelled, “Flitwick will roast your bottom for this Miss Chang.” And she looked at Marietta, “You too Miss Edgecombe.”

Marietta waved her hands, “Hey I didn’t bully anybody. We didn’t sting hex her! That damage was there before we arrived!”

Hermione surreptitiously sheathed her wand again, and just looked at Marietta with fury. “Oh, you took my towel, my clothes, and locked me in here as a favor to me Edgecombe? You also yanked out a couple of my pubic hairs, and slapped my sore bottom! You are too stupid to be a Ravenclaw. You are right about one thing. The sting hexes weren’t from you, they were from Master Flitwick. He seems to believe it’s worth his personal time to keep me on the path to excellence. It hurts…but I am honored by his attention. I wonder when was the last time he even looked your direction…well before he soundly looks at you today.” She snarked.

Natalie looked at Marietta, who sheepishly held out the towel to Hermione. Hermione glared at her, and yanked it out of her hand before wrapping it about herself. Natalie then looked at Hermione, “Harry is looking for you. He was making a ruckus about getting ambushed in the bathroom. Please go calm him down before he goes into Troll-Killer mode.”

Hermione smirked, and looks at the two girls with a vicious look, “No promises. Thanks Nat. I owe you one.”

Natalie looked at her, angrily “You are a first year! It’s my job to protect you, so you DON’T owe me a favor! Don’t ever say that again, Hermione! Unless someone has done something truly spectacular for you at great personal expense and risk, you do not owe a favor! Favors are valuable and can’t be denied!” She paused a second and continued more normally, “I wasn’t kidding about Harry. Get going.” Before she turned back to the two bullies. She had wanted to catch these two for a while. This was going to be fun.

Hermione came running into her room and slammed the door closed. Harry came over to the door just as she tossed her towel into the hamper. She was bare. Harry quickly spun away and worriedly asked, “What happened?”

Hermione started getting dressed after seeing Harry standing in the doorway with his back turned. “I’m getting tired of your damn Potter Luck! I was ambushed by Chang and Edgecombe! I’m sure they were about to rough me up and convince me to stay away from you, but Natalie interrupted before things reached that point. The idiots didn’t even notice they didn’t have my wand. Probably thought I left it back in my room. I sure am happy about the Auror-grade wand holsters, as they had no idea I was armed. I was about to sting-hex them until they squealed, but it didn’t come to that.”

At this point Hermione was in knickers, and came over to Harry. “I want a hug!” and she walked through to have Harry turn around and hug her breathing in her scent and lightly kissing her on her cheek. Hermione pushed her breasts out against Harry’s chest, and he felt her nipples harden against him.

Harry felt himself respond to Hermione, and get hard. Harry broke the hug before he went full-throttle, and stepped back, “Um…not that I mind…but why are you thrusting out your breasts at me…because I really, really don’t mind.” He said with noticeable want.

Hermione grinned and blushed with happiness, “That bitch Cho said my breasts were too immature to interest you! She said I only kept you by sucking your dick! That dirty skank!” she cursed venomously.

Harry blushed and went fully hard, thinking about Hermione sucking him, before spinning around. Hermione looked at him, “Harry are you g-“

Harry interrupted, “Yes dammit! The idea of you doing…that…just powered up my next few years of wet-dreams…especially if you do it dressed as you are! Now go get dressed while I convince Junior here to calm down!” he said with a slight whine in his voice.

Hermione snickered as she walked back to her room, “Junior?” she said not trying to hide the humor in her voice.

Harry yelled back, “No disparaging junior! You don’t get a say in his name, until you are on a much more intimate relationship with him!” he whined again. Merlin, he hated that whine!

Hermione yelled back with a laugh, “Do you want me to kiss it, and make it better?”

Harry paused then answered, sounding hurt “That’s not funny Hermione! Stop teasing me when we both know there are no laws keeping you from doing exactly that! I know we both aren’t ready for such activities, so teasing me about it, is really unfair!” and the obvious pain in his voice cut Hermione to her core.

Hermione came back in dressed, and saw Harry kneeling on his bed dejectedly. With a small cry, she raced over to him and pulled Harry into a hug. “I’m sorry Harry! That bitch Cho really made me feel childish and plain. Thanks for showing me how much you do desire me. I know it embarrassed you, but I actually needed to see that.” She turned Harry and gave him a sweet kiss on the lips, “Thank you, my everything. I also look forward to our precombat bouts of athletic jungle sex, in the future. Just a few short years and I will make all your dreams come true…including being a dad. Be patient.”

Harry kissed her back, his pain forgotten “Waiting for you is worth it.” he vowed.

Hermione kissed him on his forehead this time and said, “Let’s get you kitted out my Lord, my Husband. We have a dinner engagement.” And she helped Harry to dress.

Harry and Hermione showed up at dinner. This time, Harry shoved the bench down a bit and conjured two padded kneeling benches for the two of them. They then kneeled at the table. Richard smiled in commiseration remembering they were not allowed to balm their bottoms until bedtime.

Draco came by and obviously ignored their situation. He quietly said, “Earl Potter, Countess Potter. My father will be sending an invitation for a meeting now that you can speak for your family. The whole wizengamot is interested to learn how this happened so…precipitously. Be aware.” He quietly warned.

Harry nodded to Draco, having received the message loud and clear. The Ministry knew! Harry replied with a head bob, “Do tell your father that I look forward to our conversation. Peace between our families is something, I think we can all agree is to everyone’s benefit. Send him my appreciation.” Draco nodded and walked away, having kept the conversation short and private.

Dinner was over before it even begun, and sure enough, just as they were finishing. McGonagall came by again. She looked at Hermione with an unreadable look, then turned to Harry and notified him, “The headmaster would like a word with the two of you after dinner. Master Flitwick is aware of the meeting.”

Harry nodded, “Then let him know, when he is ready to collect us, we will be waiting for him here.” She nodded curtly, and with another glance at Hermione walked away.

Harry turned to Hermione. “You made an impression on her. I don’t think any student has overtly told her she was not trusted before. It appears to have shaken her.”

Hermione looked at Harry, “Are you defending her, Harry?” she asked with some concern in her voice.

Harry assured her, “I told you I intend to destroy her, and I do. Let’s see if she was acting alone, or not. I am gathering data, nothing more.”

Hermione nodded and they finished eating.

Soon Flitwick came by, “Ready you two?”

Harry looked up and sighed, “No, but let’s do this anyway.” They headed off to meet the wizard.

Chapter Text

Chapter 13

Flitwick escorted the couple over to the headmaster’s office. Harry and Hermione ran along behind their master, keeping up with his running pace. They found themselves going down a hall which ended at a statue of a gargoyle. Flitwick stopped at the gargoyle, and the two students noted there was a round staircase behind it, but currently blocked by the statue.

Flitwick looked at the gargoyle, and said “Blood pops”.

Harry just looked at him with an expression of confusion.

Flitwick shrugged turning to Harry, “Password…he changes it daily.” as the gargoyle moved out of the way.

Harry snorted, “What kind of a headmaster, password protects his office? Way to show the students you are reachable, and actually care.”

Hermione huffed, “Harry.” But didn’t say anything more.

Harry grinned at her, knowing she wanted to castigate him for his disrespect, and she huffed again realizing he knew that she agreed with him, but wouldn’t admit it.

Flitwick grinned and shrugged again. He didn’t disagree, either. They climbed the stairs, and came upon another door.

As Flitwick went to knock on the door, from the other side they heard, “Filius! Bring our recalcitrant students in please!” There were flavors of doom and retribution laced in that ‘polite’ invitation.

Filius, used to Albus’s games, just opened the door and walked through. As Harry and Hermione entered, they noticed they were now in a large circular room with another door in the opposite wall. In front of the door was a large desk, behind which sat Headmaster Dumbledore. He was watching them carefully. The room also had a bird perch, similar to what Harry used for Hedwig, but on this perch was a red and gold plumed bird, which was also watching them interestedly.

On the walls were dozens of portraits. Some were moving and watching them, others were muttering to each other about different things, and most appeared to be sleeping with their eye’s closed. On the left of the room, was a wall of bookcases, full of tomes and manuscripts, and on the right was a wall of…objects doing all sorts of interesting things. None of which purpose, was readily apparent.

Also in the room were Master Snape and Master McGonagall. Harry snorted at that. He muttered to Flitwick, “Always outnumber your victims during an interrogation…typical.”

Flitwick shushed him as they walked up to the desk. Flitwick came forward and stood at attention. “The Ravenclaw students you requested to see, Headmaster.”

Albus glanced at Filius, before returning to his examination of Harry. He said, “Thank you Filius. You may go.” He calmly commanded.

Harry sensing the sudden spike in fear from Hermione, barked out, “We leave with Master Flitwick! Decide when that occurs, Headmaster.” The overt hostility in his voice was obvious.

Flitwick shifted and then stood still, looking from Harry back to Albus and shrugged. Harry knew Master Flitwick had no intention of abandoning them, but why let the others know?

Albus looked at Harry with disappointment, “Harry, I just want to talk to you. There is no reason we can’t do that privately.”

Harry pointedly looked at Snape, getting a nod and a small smile with amusement in his eyes at Harry's answer to Dumbledore. He then glared at Minerva, who had the grace to blush at what Albus had said. Then Harry looked at Albus and raised an eyebrow, saying nothing.

Albus, with a put-upon look on his face, said with utter conviction, “Severus and Minerva have my utmost and complete trust.”

“When you consider how little I trust you, that statement makes me wonder how much I can trust them.” Harry then rebutted, overtly using the same voice of utter conviction Albus used, “However, Miss Granger and Master Flitwick, DO have my utmost and complete trust…as well as my respect.” Making a point of their proper address.

Snape had a shadow of a smile at that, while Minerva blushed again. Albus looked angry for a second, before he flipped it back to kindly old man.

With a big sigh at appearing to cater to the whims of a child, Albus said, “Very well Harry, they can stay.”

Harry sarcastically replied, “Oh, thank you so much for obeying the rules of your own school, Percival. It’s so appreciated.”

Albus with a flush of anger, “I, ah…don’t respond to that name.”

Harry raised an eyebrow in feigned surprise, “If you call me Harry, I will call you Percival. I certainly don’t appreciate you pretending you are my friend, especially after betraying my parents and sending me to the Dursleys! There is no way my parents would have sent me there!”

“Mr. Potter! Show some respect!” exclaimed Minerva.

Harry glared at her, “And why would I have any respect for the individual who left me on a doorstep in November? Who left a note with the Dursleys that effectively made them hate me, beat me, enslave me? Respect? As what? As a malicious, child-abusing, lying sadist?” He asked looking at Minerva as if waiting for an answer.

Where no answer was forthcoming, Harry turned to Flitwick, “You had us share the meeting Hermione had with…her (Harry said it with disgust)…before Hermione ran in fear for her life. Is there a way we all can see a memory?”

Flitwick replied calmly, “Yes the Headmaster has a pensieve which can project memories. It isn’t quite as good as submersing yourself in the memory, but we all can see it, and won’t be helpless before people we don’t trust.” He added, surprising the other two heads.

Albus glared at Filius and turned to the others in the room. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Harry replied, “And why is that? I would love to see Professor McGonagall’s memories of that night, as she is trying to portray a woman of honor, instead of a child-abandoner who betrayed my parents. I want to see how she reached that conclusion about herself.”

“I did what I thought was right!” exclaimed Minerva.

Harry replied with a cold grin of victory at her admission, “So you were there, when I was left with the Dursleys! I am sure Voldemort and his death-eaters can say the same thing! Prove you really do care, and didn’t just throw me away like garbage! Show us the memory!” he demanded.

Minerva looked at Albus, “Albus, get out the pensieve! I need to show them the memory! Harry believes I’m a monster, and I loved his father! Please Albus!”

Albus looked at Minerva and frowned. “Very well, Minerva.” And he rolled out the Pensieve from an apparent bookshelf on the side. The pensive was a large pedestal with thousands of runes carved into it and glowing faintly. The top of the pedestal looked akin to a bird bath, and had a silvery liquid swirling around in it. Harry noted there were dozens of small vials on a shelf behind where the pensive was stored. They were filled with pearly white…something in them. Memories? Anyway, the Pensieve was placed in the middle of the room. “Add the memory, Minerva" Albus instructed, "and I will project it.”

Minerva closed her eyes as she put her wand to her temple. Soon she pulled the wand away and it pulled a silvery iridescent strand reminiscent of smoke, out of her head. Once it was away, she shook her wand over the silvery bowl and the strand fell into the liquid. Harry made sure to pay attention so he could reexamine this memory in the future. The memory started.

It showed Minerva watching the Dursleys all day in her cat form. It showed Albus arrive and notice her presence, as she turned back to McGonagall.
“Yes, it’s me.” said Professor McGonagall. “And I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me why you’re here, of all places?”
I’ve come to bring Harry to his aunt and uncle. They’re the only family he has left now.”
“You don’t mean – you can’t mean the people who live here?” cried Professor McGonagall, jumping to her feet and pointing at number four.
“Dumbledore – you can’t. I’ve been watching them all day. You couldn’t find two people who are less like us. And they’ve got this son – I saw him kicking his mother all the way up the street, screaming for sweets. You can’t make Harry Potter come and live here!”
“It’s the best place for him, “ said Dumbledore firmly. “His aunt and uncle will be able to explain everything to him when he’s older. I’ve written them a letter.”
“A letter?” repeated Professor McGonagall faintly, sitting back down on the wall. “Really Dumbledore, you think you can explain all this in a letter? These people will never understand him! He’ll be famous – a legend – I wouldn’t be surprised if today was known as Harry Potter day in the future – there will be books written about Harry – every child in our world will know his name!”
“Exactly, “ said Dumbledore, looking very seriously over the top of his half-moon glasses. “It would be enough to turn any boy’s head. Famous before he can walk and talk! Famous for something he won’t even remember! Can’t you see how much better off he’ll be, growing up away from all that until he’s ready to take it?”
McGonagall replied, “Yes – Yes you’re right, of course”
-break until Hagrid brings a sleeping Harry-
“Is that where -?” whispered Professor McGonagall.
“Yes,” said Dumbledore. “He’ll have that scar forever.”
“Couldn’t you do something about it, Dumbledore?”
“Even if I could, I wouldn’t. Scars can come in Handy.”
And Dumbledore ended the memory.
(taken as a direct quote from HP and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling)

Harry leaned back and looked at Minerva who was looking at him hopefully. Hoping to be forgiven. Harry asked coldly, “So after Albus was able to convince you to leave me in a house you at least suspected was horrible, how many times did you quietly check on me to verify I was actually fine? How many times Professor McGonagall?” he challenged.

Minerva looked like Harry slapped her. With disappointment at Harry's exaggerations she said, “Albus told me on numerous episodes you were fine. I also came and checked on you, multiple times. I never saw anything, worse than a spanking, for failing to do your chores or homework! I never saw signs you were abused at all.”

Harry then slapped down one of the pictures Poppy had taken of his back. “How do you explain that? That look like the results of a normal spanking?”

Minerva snatched up the picture and went white. “I…what is this?”

Harry replied, “That is a picture taken by Master Pomfrey before she started healing me.” He glanced at Hermione with a smile, “Hermione told me I would need it, and here we are…showing a child abuser that evidence does exist of her crime!” he finished victoriously.

Albus snatched the picture from Minerva and with a flash of magic, it burned to ash. “An obvious fabrication, and of no matter.”

Harry smirked and handed a galleon to Hermione.

When everyone looked at him, he explained “Hermione bet me, Percival here would destroy it. I didn’t think so, so now owed her a galleon.”

Minerva looked confused at them not being upset, “Then why…”

Harry glared at Percival, “It wasn’t our only copy…and all originals are now with my Gringott’s account holder. Good luck destroying them!” he crowed at Albus.

He turned to Minerva, “Now that we have proven I WAS abused, how about I show you it was the Dursley’s who did it?” he challenged.

Harry just looked at her coldly, “How about I show you some of what you would have discovered if you weren’t a lemming or a coward.” He turned to Flitwick, “How do I share a memory for the pensieve?”

Dumbledore realizing the situation was rapidly getting out of control. “I think we have used the pensieve enough tonight.” And he waved his wand putting it away.

Harry after watching the Pensieve vanish, turned to McGonagall, “Care to witness my memory yourself? It is obvious Percival here doesn’t want you to see it. I wonder why? Do you?”

Minerva looked at Harry for a second, “Share a memory?”

Harry explained, “Yes. Master Flitwick taught us, as part of our occlumency training, how to share a memory. He showed us, if you have a rudimentary understanding of legilimency, someone can push a memory to you, for you to experience. Can you do this?”

Albus exclaimed, “Don’t do this Minerva! A child’s view can be skewed and misunderstood. Of course, every child hates episodes of discipline and sees the worst.”

Harry looked back at her, “Well…which is it? Are you a lemming, or a coward?” he overtly challenged her.

Minerva’s eyes flashed, “I am not a coward!”

Harry just snorted, “Then prove that you are just a naive lemming. Come get the memory of one of hundreds of days you condemned me to, unless you ARE, a coward.”

Albus warned, “Minerva…don’t do this.”

Harry just looked at her with disgust. “Your master gave you an order, dog. Better do as he says, lest he beat you.” And he sneered at her.

Minerva’s eyes flashed at the dog comment and came over, “Show me this memory, Mr. Potter. I warn you I will be able to tell if its false.”

Harry then shared a memory of when he was five. He had asked to be adopted into the Dursley family and have them be his mommy and daddy. His reward for the request was being stripped and hung from the banister while Vernon whipped him bloody from his shoulders to his knees. For the last part of the beating, he was unconscious from screaming and struggling so long. There was blood everywhere. Minerva was able to feel each and every last strike from the belt until Harry went unconscious. She cried out as she fell away and landed on her rump.

She looked at Harry with horror and sadness at what happened. She was mumbling “I didn’t know. I didn’t know.” Her eyes unfocused as she stared into the distance, not seeing.

Harry roared, “It was your business to know! That was one day in 13 long years! I was whipped nearly every-single-day. There were days they imprisoned my in my closet and didn’t feed me. On those days, I was taken out and beaten instead of given meals. That was usually how my birthday was celebrated!” he admitted in obvious pain and anger.

Minerva focused on Harry during his tirade, and then screamed, “I didn’t know!”

Harry just looked at her with scorn, “Tell someone who believes your lies. I think you did know, but were too much of a coward to face it! I hope my mother is waiting for you on the other side. If someone who was important to me, left my child to be abused…I would be waiting for them on the other side. Even if I had to pay with my own soul, I would guarantee that person was dragged to Hell and tortured, raped, and sodomized as a child-abusing traitorous coward deserved. I wonder what Lily Potter has in store for you. I am sure you will deserve every minute of your eternal suffering. I count on you not enjoying it.” He vowed.

Harry looked away, “I think we are done here. Please, let us go Master Flitwick.”

Dumbledore rose up, “Stop! We aren’t done! We haven’t even addressed why I called you here.”

Harry replied angrily, “And what would that be? The fact, this (and Harry waved at McGonagall still sitting on the ground crying and rocking to herself), called my intended worthless? Valueless? What is there to discuss? Do you think an apology will mean anything? From her?” Harry said with such derision it was palpable.

Dumbledore stated forcefully, “I can’t let you do this Harry. Too much is at stake, for the tantrum of a child to ruin things. If you don’t back down, changes would have to be made. I know what Filius has done. Letting two first-years sleep together? It would be a black mark of Hogwarts to let such things continue. Everybody will now assume you called in her life-debt for saving her, and turned her into your personal sex slave. I can almost guarantee it.”

Harry looked at him with dawning horror. “We both test positive as virgins because we haven’t done anything! How would you sell this?!”

Albus stated with a grin, “Easily. Of course you are just using her pretty little mouth, now. If we let her stay in your bed, it is only a matter of time before you couldn’t help yourself, and use the rest of her. We are protecting the both of you from breaking a law that would have you in Azkaban. It is my duty as an educator to keep that from happening.”

Harry looked at him in horror. “You are a worse Dark Lord than Voldemort!”

Albus looked at him with disappointment, “Don’t be a naïve fool! I have saved this world from itself for the last 50 years, and I will continue to do so. You are simply going to stop your persecution of Minerva here. You are going to stop talking about the Dursleys. In exchange, I am going to let things keep going. Your little cock-ring can stay in your bed. Remember you can’t bugger or shag her, yet. If someone tests you and either of you stop testing as virgins, it’s off to Azkaban for you.”

Harry defeated, looked at Minerva rocking on the floor, “What are you doing about that?”

Albus looked at Minerva with disgust, “You let me deal with that. Now off with you.” Turning to Filius, “Can you keep your students on a short leash, Filius?” Filius with a frown, nodded and he escorted Harry and Hermione from the room.

Severus was quiet as he stepped up to the desk. He made a motion toward Minerva. Albus pointed his wand at her and with a growl said, “Obliviate!”

As they went down the stairs, Hermione was about to say something, when Filius with a look of concern, forcefully commanded, “Not one word!” and led them away.

Hermione quietly sobbed in Harry’s arms but said nothing.

Chapter Text

Chapter 14

Once they were in their private study hall, Filius immediately cast a dozen different spells while he kept them quiet. Once he was done, he let out a large breath. “Good job, Harry! What are your thoughts?”

Harry gave an apologetic look at Hermione, then turned to his master and replied “Everything went about how I expected it. Not as I hoped, but definitely how I expected it.”

Hermione looked at Harry confused, but it quickly turned to greatly hurt when she realized Harry was aware of something and didn’t share it with her.

Harry turned back to Hermione and grabbed her hands, “Hermione…the monster who kept me at the Dursleys. Do you honestly think, you mean anything to him?”

Hermione replied upset, “Well what about McGonagall? She looked destroyed by what she learned tonight.”

Flitwick sighed but didn't disagree, “I expect she now remembers the two of you came, were snarky and disrespectful, then Dumbledore reeled you both in, by threatening to separate you. Harry forced Hermione to accept Minerva’s apology, and everything is back to cold hostility. Minerva probably feels vindicated, at Dumbledore using Hermione against Harry to keep him in line. She won’t like it, but will tolerate it, like she always has.”

Hermione sadly replied, “She won’t even remember what Harry showed her, will she?”

Harry snorted, “In that pensieve memory I finally recognized the cat. She has been to the Dursleys on numerous occasions as a stray cat. None of which I expect she remembers. I suspect tonight will go the way of the Dodo, too. We will know tomorrow. If she acts like nothing occurred, it’s because in her eyes and memory, it didn’t.” Turning back to Filius. “Do you think we bought the next 36 hours like we needed?”

Filius stated, “We will have to wait and see.” Turning to Hermione, he asked “What do you feel?”

Hermione shuddered, “I don’t know what to feel about McGonagall. I don’t know how much is her, and how much is the puppet master. On the other hand, knowing there is a Dark Lord running the school? That makes me feel great! How should I feel?” she blurted out sarcastically.

Filius sent a light sting hex at her bottom. “OUCH! Master! Why?” cried out Hermione while furiously rubbing her bottom. Getting even a light sting on her already punished bottom, really hurt! Hermione looked at Flitwick with fear and betrayal, tearing up.

Filius looked at her seriously, “To get your full attention. I need you to listen to this. Albus is a monster, but a disciplined monster with an agenda. If you stay out of his sight and don’t cause him problems, he will ignore you. You need to keep your mouth shut and learn, learn, learn! It will be years before the two of you become a real threat to him. He knows that. Don’t let him think otherwise. No speeches, no letters to the editor, nothing! To keep you alive, I am more than willing to make sitting comfortably a very distant memory, daughter. Do not test me on this!” he warned.

Hermione, very aware of just how much her bottom hurt, took the warning for what it was. Filius as her Master and effectively her ‘father’, was instructing her to alter her behavior, or suffer the consequences! Hermione glared at him being recalcitrant.

Harry, watching Hermione walk herself into another punishment duel, implored her to think! “Hermione, we will get justice. Please trust Master Flitwick, and do as you are told. Don’t make me watch you scream under his discipline! He doesn’t make empty threats! You know that!” he reminded her.

Hermione dropped her eyes and grudgingly nodded acquiesce.

Flitwick, watching her carefully, gave a quick shake of his head. “No I need to hear the words. This is too important for a misunderstanding, daughter.” He instructed firmly.

Hermione looked down again, and sighed. She then dropped her shoulders in defeat. After a few seconds, she looked back up into her Master’s eyes and with a fire evident in her own and a firm set to her jaw, answered “Master, you are ordering me to stop complaining to others about the administration of Hogwarts, despite it being run by a Dark Lord and his minions. I am to no longer complain or comment about Professor McGonagall, with the assumption that she awarded the points as a ‘mistake’ in the heat of the moment.”

She paused for a second and then continued looking steadily in his eyes, “I assume the headmaster will rectify the situation by giving Harry an award for special services to the school at dinner tomorrow, to prove that to the other students.” She added, continuing to glare at her master.

Flitwick grinned and nodded after a second, ’What a will on his daughter! Even under the threat of heavy discipline, she fights back! This was too good, and she was right. Albus has to do this to make the new story stick.' “Very good my daughter, and you are correct. We can easily force Dumbledore to do this to save the reputation of McGonagall. He may even imply it is her idea, and we will allow it…right?”

Harry and Hermione nodded yes, without saying anything more.

“Go and salve your bottoms, but understand you are my official apprentices now. If you thought I was demanding before, you will remember being mistaken.”

Hermione, and to a lesser extent Harry, both looked worried. Flitwick just sighed, and some warmth was now visible in his eyes, “I have grown to care about the two of you deeply, but I have a duty, and now an obligation. The two of you, have the greatest natural gifts, including the will to use them, I have seen…ever." He turned to Harry, "That includes your mother, Harry."

Looking back at both of them, he said very seriously, "I expect much, because I can see just how much you two will achieve. I will be the one who forged the Duende steel from the raw iron, and that involves discipline and pain. Understand me, apprentices?” he threatened.

The two snapped to attention, ”Yes, SIR!” they both yelled.

“Dismissed!” he roared, and the two ran off. Duende never walked unless necessary.

They went up to their rooms and went to shower. Padma knowing when Hermione tended to shower, came in and met her in the bathroom. Padma winced when she saw how bruised and inflamed her bottom was. She counted a dozen stings, and she wasn’t sure she got them all.

She yelled to Hermione under the water, “Hey Hermione! Did you hear?”

Hermione, still distracted with how her world had changed, and she wasn't yet sure it was for the better, wasn’t polite. “Hear what? I’ve been a bit out of touch.” She groused.

Padma snorted, “No kidding! There are rumors you and McGonagall, declared truce, and are no longer yelling at each other.”

Hermione replied with a bit of bitterness, “Yeah, Master Flitwick promised more punishment duels unless I played nice. So…we will be civil from now on, though a lot of it, is Harry will get the recognition he deserves.”

Padma in awe of a firstie going to war with the headmistress and coming out alive…even if she did end up with a punished bottom, “Wow. Anyway, both Cho and Marietta had punishment duels with Master Flitwick! He had them howling from the third sting, and they were on the ground, sobbing and holding their bottoms by the 7th. You making it to the 9th before being driven to the ground is being remembered. Especially since you actually dodged the tenth, making him cast again. Evidently, Natalie enjoyed watching their punishment, immensely. She has been monitoring those two for over a year and your situation was the last straw…especially getting caught red-handed, the way they were.”

After a second, Padma continued “Oh! That’s right! Nat said, I’m to remind you to let it go. Nat said, she will personally see you in another punishment duel if you try to get revenge, but let her know if those two come for you, as well. It’s a mess.” She admitted, shaking her head.

Hermione came out of the shower, and hugged Padma. “I really miss talking to you, Padma. However, Master Flitwick told me to get my bottom balmed. And after being in pain all day, I am really looking forward to Harry rubbing it away.” She said with a naughty smile…before she winced in pain again.

Padma blushed to her roots, imagining that…and more. With wide eyes she shyly asked, “You mean Harry…will rub the salve into your bottom?” and she grinned uncertainly.

Hermione’s whole face lit up as she smiled, “Yes. He is a perfect gentleman wizard. I was angry earlier when Cho implied Harry would not be interested in my body. I tried to show him myself bare. He just turned away and firmly told me to put on my knickers, but not before he reacted and hid it.” With a naughty grin at Padma, she clarified, “Yes that reaction.” And they both giggled.

Hermione continued, “I am so going to love breaking that polished exterior to the caveman who will just throw me on the bed and sex me thoroughly.” She shuddered in both fear and excitement. After a few seconds, Hermione sighed, “But not for a few years yet, I know. A girl can dream.” and her eyes flashed wickedly, with a wide grin.

Padma giggled naughtily, too. “You are so bad!” she enviously exclaimed, “But also have the love of your life to be naughty with. I am so jealous!” She gave Hermione another hug and escorted her back to her room before saying “goodnight…say hello to Harry for me.” Padma’s twinkling eyes and grin, spoke volumes.

After waving goodbye to Padma, Hermione went into her room, and immediately changed into her massage knickers. She then opened the door and walked into Harry’s room.

“Harry, I-“ she started saying before she turned her head, and realized Harry wasn’t alone! Hermione yelled “EEEK!” and immediately tried to cover her breasts with her hands, spinning around…until she realized she was now showing him her completely bare and punished bottom! She then “Yelped” and covered her bottom with her hands, before she jumped into the bed, pulling the covers over her.

Richard watched all of this with a surprised expression on his face, and was barely able to disguise his laugh as a cough. “Well Harry, I just came to let you know about tomorrow night! I can see your witch needs your assistance, so will let myself out. Good night!” and he left closing the door, though both could hear him laughing uproariously outside the door as he walked away.

Hermione just groaned. ’Stupid, stupid Potter Luck!’ she thought furiously.

Harry with an audible smirk, informed her “You can come out Hermione. He’s gone.”

Hermione threw the blankets off of herself, and said, “Probably to tell all his friends, about naughty, slutty Hermione.” She grumbled.

“Hey! It was an honest mistake, and he’s too nice to be mean about it! I doubt he will say more than you were slightly underdressed, but your reaction to it was all embarrassed firstie. And that’s if he says anything at all, which I doubt.” Harry insisted.

Harry changed the subject “Anyway, get your bruised, but still cute, butt over here and let me make if feel better…and no, I’m not kissing it…today.” Hermione came over and lay down on the bench…though the idea of Harry kissing her bottom made her blush. Harry started on her bottom, and after she gasped in pain, she was soon moaning as she felt something else entirely.

After her bottom was unblemished and pain free, using the bruise balm, Harry then went and massaged her body with the muscle oil starting with her back before doing her front. He still got hung up on her breasts, but was able to finish the job without too much of an issue. He then kissed her on the lips, “All done, Mine. My turn.”

Hermione felt wonderful! Harry’s massages were fantastic! She looked at him, wanting him to keep going, but then remembered he was sore too. Ah well. It was his turn.

Hermione also started with his bottom, and Harry was very happy for the special underwear because he was definitely going to respond to the deep massage Hermione was giving his glutes. Instead, he moaned, “Wow, Hermione! That’s great.” She smiled and massaged the rest of his backside, before she turned him over and finished his front, too.

As she finished his frontside, now much calmer, she stated, “You never said what Richard was talking to you about.”

Harry replied, “Oh that! I am getting an award for ‘Special Services to the School’ at dinner tomorrow. Dress clean and nice.”

Hermione pulled him into a big kiss and yelled, “That’s wonderful Harry! I’m so glad for you!”

Harry groused, “I still feel the fraud. It was accidental magic. The only reason I am accepting the award, is because it means saving you was important, and the school recognizes this.”

Hermione hugged him with another kiss on his lips, “I know Harry. I know, and I appreciate it.”

The next morning, Hermione was rubbing her bottom after getting stung again. She had been working on getting to the top of the rope climb and was so close, but she just couldn’t get to the top. Just as she was about to give up, ZAP! Her master nailed her bottom, fairly hard.

Hermione yelled, “EEEK!” and she scrambled up to avoid the pain…Wait! “I made it! I got to the top!” she exclaimed in surprise.

Harry started laughing at the change in her voice as Hermione went from squealing about her sore bottom, to celebrating finishing her first station. He was laughing so hard, he had stopped on the course, and found himself stung too. "OW!"

Hermione giggled, and quickly moved onto the next station when Flitwick turned back her direction.

As Hermione joined Harry and Flitwick at the end of the course, he tossed a staff to both of them. “It’s time to learn your first weapon. Staff. Now mimic my movements. We will start doing these movements every day. Once you are good enough, we will fight.”

Flitwick then showed them the basic strikes, parries, and movements using the 2-meter length of wood.

After learning the basics, Hermione asked, “Are you teaching this weapon because wizards fight with staffs…like Gandalf in Lord of the Rings?”

Flitwick looked at her and smiled, “I will also be teaching you my speciality, the dirk, or short-blade. However, the staff is a wonderful weapon in the hands of a master. Honestly, a staff fighter can win more often than not, against a swordsman…unless he also has a shield, or short-blade in his off hand. Then there is the addition of magic. A magical battle staff is truly a formidable weapon. However, it will be a few years before you are allowed to incorporate magic into your staff fighting.”

Once done, for the day, Flitwick called out, “Attention!” and his two apprentices snapped to attention in front of him. Hermione was only slightly wincing and breaking position, from the four stings on her bottom. He smiled at them, “You both did very well. Remember, you can choose to balm your stings away after training, unless I specifically forbade it for a set time…such as after a punishment duel. Go balm your bottoms. Dismissed!”

Both gave him a grateful smile and ran away. Duende don’t walk!

Hermione and Harry quickly balmed each other before going to the showers. Hermione went into the showers and found Padma, Sue, Morag, and Mandy getting ready for the day.

Hermione called out “Hey everybody, isn’t it a wonderful day?” she absolutely gushed.

Padma smiled at her best friend, “You are in a good mood.” She glanced at her bottom and didn’t see any stings, “Did you really get through training without getting stung?” she asked surprised.

Hermione snorted, and then giggled when both Morag and Mandy giggled at her very unladylike snort, “Morgana No! Harry and I just decided to balm immediately after training so we don’t need to suffer through the pain while showering.”

Mandy with a grin then asked, “Are you sure it wasn’t getting your hands on his bottom…and having him use his hands on yours?” She asked with a naughty grin. “You were a bit chirpy when you came in. That massage must have been very…thorough.”

Sue Li, a shy oriental girl who was always unfailingly polite, just gasped, and Morag called out “Mandy! That was rude!”

Mandy looked at Morag, a fiery red head Scottish lass who had already suffered one punishment duel this year, because she punched Terry in the nose when he asked, “How can a lass have such a flat arse, when her bosom was so magnificent.” She did have the second largest bosom in their class, behind Susan Bones, but was cursed with an almost boy butt. Something she didn’t like being reminded about, as Terry’s bloody nose, attested.

Anyway, Mandy frowned at Morag, “Hey! She spends the night in his arms…I don’t care what you say, when you sleep with a boy that much, pajamas or not, both of your hands will soon have completely explored and mapped out, the undiscovered country sleeping next to you.”

She then looked at Hermione who blushed and didn’t deny it. Then with a twinkle in her eyes also added, “Besides, I know bruise balm only works when applied by someone else, and needs to be directly rubbed into the affected area, via a thorough skin on skin massage! Right Hermione?”

Hermione grinned, “Uh-huh!” nodding emphatically.

The other three girls squealed, while Sue grinned and blushed bashfully.

Mandy looked at Hermione, “We usually don’t see you in the morning, because you shower too late…with your training…or too early on the weekend.” She looked at Hermione, noticing her athletic bod “I almost…almost am ready to join you for morning training. I don’t know what you are doing, but your breasts are growing?” she exclaimed.

Hermione snorted, “Actually they are the same. My waist is shrinking and my chest muscles, under my breasts are growing. That is why they look larger.” She paused for a second, “You are certainly free to join us…though it will really hurt for the first week or two.”

Mandy just shook her head and waved her hands no. “Oh, Morgana no! I don’t want to know how much Master Flitwick will sting my bottom. He actually likes you!”

Hermione snorted again, “Then you don’t understand him. He stings me so much because he likes me!” she paused for a moment, “I am honored, but there are times when I wish he didn’t show his appreciation so enthusiastically!”

The other four girls all made sounds of commiseration. They soon finished doing their hair and makeup, before leaving to dress for breakfast.

All four went to breakfast together, and continued to talk and jabber together while eating. Breakfast was fun! Hermione decided to treat Dumbledore as a distant threat and ignore McGonagall. Hermione was happy she had finished paying her debt, her wizard was being recognized properly for rescuing her, and she was safely married to Harry (not that any could know yet).

Hermione also appreciated how the other Ravenclaws weren’t intimidated or repulsed by her brainy tendencies, since they had them too. They were just intimidated by her combat training…and her wizard.

Soon Marietta joined the table for breakfast. For once, without Cho. She tried to sit, yelped, and ended up trying to kneel to eat with limited success. Hermione noticed, got up, shoved a bench over to make room, and then pointed her wand at the floor and with a forceful “STOOL!” she conjured a kneeling stool. “Try this,” Hermione said neutrally. “Don’t worry, it will last, most of the day.”

The students noted the conjuring by a first year, and also remembered Marietta was one of two who had viciously bullied her. Marietta tried kneeling on the new stool. It was really comfortable! She then started eating for a few minutes, but eventually threw down her silverware exclaiming to Hermione, “Why?”

Hermione who was talking to Padma and Morag stopped and turned to her. “One: I know how much a punishment duel hurts, especially if Master Flitwick is irritated, or Morgana help you, actually angry. Two: I was ordered to take your punishment as debt paid, and not seek payback, so I will not…this time. It was a peace offering. Don’t bully me again…or anyone else, and I will forget yesterday happened. Deal?” she asked calmly.

Marietta blushed and nodded yes.

Hermione said, “Good,” and turned back to what Padma was saying.

Natalie just stood up and started clapping, soon joined by Richard and the other prefects. Soon most of the Ravens were clapping, while the Hufflepuff and Slytherin watched, and wondered what was happening.

Hermione just blushed, and Harry came over to her, to give her a kiss on the cheek and a hug, before returning to his conversation with Anthony.

As quickly as the clapping started, it stopped, and everyone was back to breakfast.

At the head table, Flitwick was sitting there proud and fierce. He had noticed the conjuring and listened in. Snape looked at him and shook his head with a smile. “I didn’t know you taught conjuration, Filius? That was nice work.”

Minerva heard the comment and frowned for a second…though it wasn’t nice work. It was bloody ridiculously good! She’s a first year, for Morgana’s sake!

Flitwick responded fiercely, “I will teach them everything!” He then glanced at Severus, “Fortunately, you actually teach potions properly, so I don’t have to do that too.”

Snape responded dryly, “I’m glad you approve…though if those two learn everything else the way they learn potions, you will maintain the top spots for first year without an issue.”

Sprout who was quietly listening, exclaimed in disbelief, “Handing out victory so early Severus? To a couple of Ravenclaws no less?”

Severus just looked at her like she was delusional. “Let me guess. They aren’t so spectacular during Herbology. Did you happen to see the conjuration a first year just did…knowing her wizard is better and stronger at it? You know Flitwick only tutors the best and he has all but claimed these two as apprentices, since the first week of school! Unless he has his protégés actually jump year, you are looking at the head girl and boy of ’97.” he calmly predicted.

Flitwick was so proud he could burst. To have a competitor acknowledge your victory was the sweetest of sounds. His Duende grin was out in full force.

Snape noticed, and slugged him in the arm hard. “Watch it, Filius. Your Duende is showing.”

Filius just grinned wider, “Yes…yes, it is.” He said before going back to eating.

Chapter Text

Chapter 15

While Hermione had fun that morning, with Padma and the other girls. Harry went to see Healer Pomfrey. He entered the infirmary and waited while she dealt with a patient. Once Poppy was done Harry stepped forward.

Poppy looked up from her charting, “What can I do for you, Heir Potter?” While waiting for his response, she examined his curse scar. “Interesting…it is reducing nicely. This might actually continue to shrink. Come see me when all the other scars are gone and I will take another look. There are other options.”

Harry nodded and she waited. After taking a breath and letting it out, Harry eventually blurted out “I enjoy treating Hermione every night. It isn’t just sexual, as I try to compartmentalize myself even when massaging her pectoralis muscles…though I still have trouble ignoring working over her nipples. Anyway, I want to explore being a healer. I really enjoy removing Hermione’s pain and returning full function to her. I wondered if I would get similar enjoyment from healing others. What do you think?”

Poppy’s eyes rose at that. A Potter Healer. There hasn’t been one of those in generations…and Magus? Never. She looked at him, “You are certainly powerful enough, intelligent enough, and disciplined enough, if you are already learning to compartmentalize touching and manipulating erogenous zones. It is a long and demanding road. Do you wish to test your dedication? Do you have any other commitments which would get in the way?”

Harry looked at her, suddenly concerned. “I need your healer’s oath to not tell anyone what I am telling you. Especially Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall.”

Poppy was shocked at such a request...still... “That is…very well. If the information does not place someone’s life in jeopardy, I will protect it.”

Harry looked down in thought for a minute. He decided to trust her, “I am the oathed and contracted apprentice of Master Flitwick. I haven’t asked his permission for this, as I wasn’t sure if I am suitable. He has the power to just say no, and then I would not be able to try until I end my apprenticeship with him.”

Poppy just sat down. “Wow. Already? Can I assume your witch is also contracted?”

Harry just nodded.

Poppy said, “As I thought. Well, Filius is a Duende warrior, but a healer warrior combination is highly respected in their culture. I don’t see him having a problem with it, as long as your other training continues as scheduled. Do you want me to talk to him?”

Harry looked happy for a second, then after thinking a moment, shook his head. “He will honor the request much more, if I bring it to him personally. Do I have a reason to do so?” he asked hopefully.

Poppy thought for a moment as well, and suddenly left to return with four large tomes. “These are the tomes for studying for the journeyman test as a healer. I am not saying master them as you are young to do so, but how about you read these and memorize them to the best of your ability. At the end of the year, you will take the journeyman exam I give to prospective Apprentice Healers. It will tell us how well you are absorbing the material and if trying to convince your master to add healing to your curriculum is worth it. Deal?”

Harry’s face lit up in pleasure. “Thank you, Master Healer Pomfrey! Thank you!” and he took the tomes and left in high spirits.

Poppy thought a moment. ’A Magus healer? That would be spectacular.’ She fervently hoped Harry didn’t just give up. The challenge she gave him was a daunting one for a NEWT student. ’To give it to a firstie? What was I thinking!’ she thought to herself. Poppy just shook her head, before she went about her business.

Harry spent the morning and afternoon reading the first of the tomes. He had barely scratched the surface but the information was so interesting! When it was close to 3pm, Hermione came in to change for magical discipline. She saw Harry engrossed in the tome.

Hermione came over and hugged Harry from behind.

He patted her arms around him and raised his face for a kiss, which Hermione with a smile, gave him. “What are you reading, Harry?”

“The human body. A treatise on Anatomy, Physiology, Magicology, Embryology/Pregnancy, and Neurology. How things are supposed to work. It is fascinating.”

“So studying to be a healer? Trying to get me to let you play doctor, and explore those regions you haven’t yet?” she asked with a teasing grin.

Harry blushed but refused to deny the obvious, “Well yeah! But remember, just like with your breasts, when I am in healer mode and exploring your perineal area, it will be completely different. When you finally tell me as your lover, to explore and pleasure you, it won’t matter how many times I was studying you as a healer, it will still be new and spectacular. Anyway, I have a great deal of studying to do, before exploring your female area, is more than a lust-filled lark. I know you will be trusting me when you eventually open yourself up to me, and I want to take it very seriously, before I ask it of you.” he finished blushing furiously, and looking in her eyes, hoping she realized he was sincere.

Hermione just hugged him. “Oh Harry! I was kidding. I trust you. I know you would not embarrass or hurt me. When you are ready to study me, I will of course help you, and expect you to repeat the exam multiple times, until you are thoroughly familiar...with all of me," she finished with a grin. She then snarked “I also expect you to strip bare and explain your anatomy to me with exacting attention to detail and function, in a very hands-on lesson. Consider it payback.” She then smiled to herself, “It will be useful to me whether I become a healer or not. After all, I expect to become the mother to our many sons as well as our daughters.”

Her face then clouded over, “Do you think Master would let you study to be a healer? He now has the power to say no.”

Harry sighed, “I don’t know, but I have to try. Nothing gives me more pleasure than healing you. If that extends to other patients, I may have found a career which actually gives me pleasure. I just don’t know yet.” He closed the book and got up. “Well, better get ready. Asking a boon when he recently had to punish us for being late, is not how this conversation should be started.”

Afternoon discipline was now over. They had again worked on the shield charm, and had a light duel with sting hexes and shields. Hermione actually blocked quite a few before Harry bracketed her and caught her foot. With their magic levels, their shields were rapidly growing in power, and already effective at stopping low-level curses. It was nice that dueling was now more than dodging.

Before being dismissed, Harry asked “Master? A question. What would you say if I told you I strongly wished to try to be a healer…as well as a warrior.” His eyes looked scared, but hopeful.

Flitwick grinned, “Master Pomfrey now owes me a galleon. I told her, you would be unable to keep something this important, from me. She thought you would wait a month or two, before asking. Though she also thought it would be long before, you attempted the journeyman exam.”

He looked at Harry seriously, “The Healer/Warrior is an honorable road, few have the discipline to walk to its end. As long as you continue to master your lessons at your current rate, and do not shirk in your classwork, I salute what you are attempting with your spare time. If you master the journeyman exam enough to be a healer apprentice, even more a journeyman healer, we will talk about further duties and goals. Deal?”

Harry launched himself into Flitwick’s arms, yelling out with obvious joy, “DEAL!”

Flitwick smiled and gave him a quick hug before pushing him away.

Flitwick continued to smile, “All right you two. Go dress in your school uniforms as if for a feast. I have asked Natalie and Richard to assist the two of you to make everything perfect…including your official apprentice badges. You know what is happening at dinner, so be ready. Dismissed.”

They quickly balmed their stings, then showered. Both Nat and Rick were very helpful in making sure their uniforms were immaculate and perfect. They were both ecstatic when then saw the red apprentice badge on the right arms of their robes. It was a badge only an official apprentice was allowed to wear, and on the badge was the name Flitwick indicating their master.

Dinner was fun, especially when Padma yelled, “Oh Merlin! You both are Flitwick apprentices! Not pretend, but real actual apprentices of Master Flitwick! WOW! How did that occur?”

The entire student body heard the yell, and were looking to see the legendary badges. Afterall, there hadn’t been one at the school in years!

Hermione smiled, “He asked and we oathed ourselves to him. It is official. We are both studying Charms and Dueling…before moving onto other things.”

Snape saw the red badges, and looked sharply at Flitwick. Flitwick just grinned in victory, his eyes full of mirth at obviously winning something significant.

Snape looked at him for a few seconds, then gave a slow nod and a smirk, of grudging respect. It was a wonderful pre-emptive move worthy of a Slytherin.

Dumbledore was unable to hide his fury, ’How did Flitwick get this done? It should have been impossible without guardian approval, yet here it was. He no longer had any say in Potter…other than as Headmaster and if he pushed too hard, Flitwick could just drop them out without anybody able to stop him. Merlin dammit!’ he screamed to himself in his head. Seeing a look of concern on McGonagall’s face, he quickly used his occlumency to get himself back under control, and was able to restore his benign grandfather persona.

Dumbledore then looked at Flitwick with grudging respect. Now that he was calm, he had to admit It was a brilliant move, and he drove the two right into his hands. Time to talk to Flitwick, and see what it would take to buy his help…and Potter’s use.

Dumbledore stood up, “Students! Every generation a student does something so brave, so brilliant, so resourceful, and so loyal that it transcends the four houses and represents Hogwarts as a whole. A few short nights ago, a student fought insurmountable odds in absolute bravery, brilliance, resourcefulness, and loyalty to save his best friend, and now fellow apprentice by killing a troll at serious risk to his own life. Such an act cannot be ignored, and at the behest of Master McGonagall, we are awarding Heir Potter an award for special services to the school! His name and photo will be in a place of honor, forevermore in the Trophy room of Hogwarts.” There was much clapping and cheering. Harry did kill a troll after all.

Beckoning Harry up, Dumbledore said, “Come up here Harry and get the award you so valorously earned.”

Harry rose and went up to the podium. He took the award raised it over head to the clapping and cheering of the students. He then nodded to Master Flitwick, and then the students. Once at the podium, Harry lowered the award, “This award is for my Mentor, Master Flitwick, my witch, Hermione Granger, and my parents, who gave their lives for mine. Thank you.” The students rose and cheered for him while he sheepishly smiled, and raised the award again.

Harry returned to his seat, waved the award to everyone, one more time, and sat down to the feast. Hermione threw her arms around him and gave Harry a big kiss on the lips. After a few seconds there were a couple of cat-calls and the two broke apart with embarrassed grins. Harry ducked his head sheepishly while the boys teased him.

However, Hermione held hers high with a victorious smirk. It was clear she was telling all the other witches, this wizard was taken! Padma and the other girls giggled at her performance, and Hermione just grinned more.

Hermione looked at the head table and saw McGonagall looking at her. Once McGonagall caught her eye, she seemed to mouth ‘I’m sorry.’ Hermione thought a second and nodded in acknowledgement. Afterall, Dumbledore was pulling the strings. Despite checking on Harry, she missed the abuse. Who knows how much of that was callous disregard from her, and memory modification from Dumbledore. One doesn’t blame the hand for what the brain orders it to do. You watch it carefully, but you don’t blame it.

The next day was a new week of classes, and the other students often came and asked what made someone an apprentice, how did you become one, and what was involved. Harry and Hermione often shared the brut of those questions, but Harry tried to steer Hermione to be the one to answer. Everybody expected ‘the-boy-who-lived’ to live a ridiculous life, but not so much with Hermione.

Hermione often explained, “For me it means getting up at 4:45 every day of the week, including weekends. It means working my butt off, with multiple sting hexes to my bottom every time Master Flitwick thinks I can work harder.” She winced but calmly stated, “I have received from ten to twenty sting hexes to my bottom every week that I have studied under Master Flitwick, and that was with me working my arse off. By the way, that occurred over and above the punishment duel I received. You don’t want to feel additional sting hexes on a well punished bottom…you really don’t.” she said very seriously with a slight shudder.

Many of the students tried to say “No way” and Padma admitted she showered with her bestie regularly, and almost never saw an unstung bottom on her. The girls just winced at that and rapidly lost interest in becoming an apprentice. The boys weren’t much better.

The following weekend, Flitwick brought Harry and Hermione to Gringotts to meet their account manager. They were escorted into the bank by their Master. On entering the bank, a Duende messenger immediately approached them. As soon as he was at an appropriate distance, he came to attention, “Short-blade, please bring your apprentices this way.” And he jogged off. Harry and Hermione, knowing Duende never walked unless required, ran along with Flitwick without complaint.

Ten minutes later, they arrived at a door which said 'Potter Accounts' and under that 'Grokt Blood-axe', and the messenger knocked loudly.

Almost immediately, they heard a roar through the door “Get in here!”

Flitwick quickly moved in and his two apprentices were right next to him. Grokt noted neither human was soft. Both were breathing normally when wizards would be puffing like a bellows. Flitwick was training them well. “Short-blade! Introduce your kits to me!” he commanded.

Flitwick smashed a fist to his chest and turned to the side. “This is Harold Potter Troll-Killer and his Mate Hermione Potter.” Both put their right fist on their chest with a head bow, never taking their eyes off Grokt. He gave a slight head-bow back.

Flitwick then turned to the Duende behind the desk and looked at his apprentices, "This is Senior Account Manager Grokt Blood-axe, high adviser of clan Beddus."

“Greetings, Troll-killer and mate. It’s about time you came and delt with your holdings. I understand Dumbledore interfered, which is why you have been negligent. Let’s resolve that and make some gold together.”

Harry nodded with respect, “Yes…may we take our enemy’s blood and gold, and enjoy the lamentation of their mates.”

Grokt laughed uproariously. “Very good Troll-killer, very good.”

Flitwick just smiled. His family was doing him much honor today.

Hermione then mentioned, “Can my Lord read his parent’s will, now that he has reached his majority by taking a wife?”

Grokt looked at her piercingly. She just calmly stared back, until Harry started growling at the presumption, and the two broke it off immediately.

Grokt said, “Apologies, Troll-killer, but your mate had an excellent idea and I forgot myself for a moment. We can unseal the will as ordered by Lord Potter. What are your intentions?”

“Dumbledore has declared a cessation of hostilities. However, I am sure he is currently trying to ‘buy’ me from Short-blade, and otherwise ignoring us. If we publicize the will and his crimes against it, it will bring us back to open warfare. Something my mate and I are not yet ready to win. What do you recommend?”

Grokt nodded, “I agree. We will still unfreeze and activate the will. It will give you much more protection, and that is what we need. You can decide if you will honor your parent’s bequeathments, depending on the behavior of the recipients over the last thirteen years to you. However, we will quietly notify the ministry the will is now activated, but make no issue of it. Let them make a stink. If someone there, wishes to poke the dragon, let them. Now let’s get this done.”

While Harry was working with Grokt to get the Potter accounts accurate, Hermione asked, “Is Potter really a family which has been around, over a millennium?”

Grokt glanced up, “Yes…actually my clan has worked with them for 1257 years.” He grinned fiercely, “I won the right to be their account manager 88 years ago.” He then frowned for a second, “and except for the last 13 years where I had to spend most of my energy keeping Dumbledore away, I was successful in increasing the holdings properly.”

Hermione looked at him for a second, “It’s just that, I was thinking about those damnable books and they mentioned a castle. I then thought, an Earldom over a millennium old, should have one…does Harry have one?” she asked curiously.

Harry paused and looked at Grokt curiously, too.

Grokt looked from Hermione to Harry, and groaned. “You really don’t know.” Then speaking to himself under his breath, “Of course, you don’t know! That damned wizard!” He turned to Harry, “Troll-Killer, you have quite a few holdings…though only a few are outside Britain…well the Britain of old. You have holdings in the Americas, the Caribbean, France, India, and Hong Kong. All except a few are being used as income properties. Yes, the Potter Castle is in Wales…just as the books describe. It is being maintained by the Potter Elves as it has always been.”

Hermione with a frown asked, “Potter Elves?”

Grokt glanced at Flitwick who was stone-faced and giving nothing away. He glared at Flitwick and turned back to Hermione, “Don’t you know about House Elves? Hogwarts is full of them.”

Hermione thought for a second and exclaimed, “Oh! Daisy is a house elf?” she asked with wonder, and she glanced at Flitwick for confirmation.

Flitwick smiled, “Yes Daisy is one of a few hundred house elves who live at Hogwarts. They have served there since before the castle turned into a school a millennium ago…though there are significantly more now.”

Hermione frowned, “They are employees?”

Flitwick shook his head, “Elves have different priorities than Wicca, or Duende for that matter. They attach themselves to a family…and in Hogwarts’ case the castle itself. They have no use for money, and only interact with it, if required to purchase things for their family. They take payment in magic, and a sense of family.”

Hermione screamed, “So they are indentured servants, or worse, SLAVES?!”

Flitwick frowned, and with a flick, sent a strong sting-hex into Hermione’s bottom. It sizzled as it burned into her right cheek.

Hermione let out a SHRIEK! and jumped before rubbing her suddenly burning bottom, “Master!” she exclaimed and teared up.

Flitwick glared at her, “You will NOT take that tone of voice with me, daughter! Elves are not slaves as they live with different priorities than we do! They would be insulted at you trying to pay them, and want nothing more than to make their family happy, as it makes them happy. The way you take pleasure in studying or accomplishing something, is the same with them!” He glanced toward Harry before glaring back at Hermione, “The way you love in your bones doing something for Harry, is how they feel doing things for their family! Yes, it’s almost euphoric for them! They take a portion of their adopted family’s magic, and then use it, to care for that family. They consider it an act of love, and find it very pleasurable. They adore helping!”

Hermione listened to her master, and remembered he had never lied to her. She wiped away her tears and curtseyed deeply to Flitwick, “I am sorry, Father. Your daughter had no intension of disrespecting you.” Her face showed signs of struggle as she continued, “It’s just that…it sounds like abuse,” she complained.

Flitwick sighed, and tried to hide his pleasure at Hermione calling him father, for the first time. He looked firmly at her, “Your apology is accepted, daughter…though a repeat of this behavior, will have consequences.” He then relaxed and continued, “If Duende were forced to accept similar treatment, we would escape, or die trying, so I understand your point of view. However, we are not elves. You are not an elf. Don’t judge them by your values, and hurt their feelings."

"Trying to ‘save’ them…like you are currently contemplating,” and he gave her a look which had Hermione blush and look down in embarrassment for a moment, “would just insult them at best, and could actually cause them pain and injury. When you get back to the castle, call my personal elf, or Daisy and ask her…but listen to what they say, not what you want them to say.” He chided.

Hermione blushed again, realizing her master was talking about her tunnel vision. She was aware, she occasionally stopped hearing or seeing things she didn’t want to, when she was on a crusade.

At that point Harry cut in, politely ignoring the discipline Hermione had earned. “You mentioned I have a castle?” he asked Grokt.

Grokt, also ignored Hermione’s education. Kits needed to be trained after all, but once a debt was paid, it was done. He turned to Harry, “Yes Troll-killer. We will have to get you there…but I would not recommend it, until we are sure Dumbledore can be kept out.”

He frowned fiercely, “He has had some control over the family for the last three generations. Before Dumbledore, the Potters were the leaders of the Grey. Then under him, they were suddenly servants of the Light. Actually, servants of HIM. I don’t know how it happened, as it occurred shortly before I became your account manager. I could do nothing to prevent it!” He said with a puzzled look in his eyes.

Hermione then looked worried. “Can we do anything for the elves? Do we need to do anything for the elves?”

Grokt smiled in approval. “Yes. They would love to meet their family, and take care of them. The honorable and appropriate thing would be to call them and introduce yourselves.”

Hermione was looking at her ring. With a fierce look in her eyes stood up and released her magic, forcing it into activating her ring. “Potter Elves! Please come to my Lord and me!” she entreated forcefully.

Grokt frowned slightly, as releasing her magic in his presence without permission, wasn’t a small offense; but she was a kit, trying to do the honorable thing, so he excused it. Still, a glance between Short-blade and himself, made it clear the lesson would soon be taught.

A couple of seconds later, a female elf with a red floppy hat in Potter livery and wearing a bright red dress appeared. She looked at Hermione and exclaimed, “Lady Potter!” She then turned to Harry and leaped on him with an exclamation of joy, “Young master! Oh my fledgling hawk, you have returned!” She than started crying, “I looked for you! I never stopped trying to find you, but I could not!” With a fierce grimace of pain, “Nasty Whiskers cut the bond. It hurt so much!” and she shuddered before holding Harry tightly.

Harry embarrassingly patted the small creature which seemed so distressed. “What can I do for you…” and he looked at her needing something.

The elf exclaimed embarrassed, “I be Rose! The first elf of the Potters! I need to hold you for a minute.” And Harry embarrassingly just held Rose.

After a time, she sighed and got control of herself. She then released him and with a curtsey, asked “Would you renew the bond, my fledgling?”

Harry asked, “How?”

Rose grabbed his hand, yanked off her hat, and put his right hand on her head. “Just push your magic into me and think about making me your family.”

Harry released his magic and it rolled over the holds. Grokt’s breath caught as he knew Troll-killer was magical, but not this magical! Harry with his eyes blazing like burning copper, pushed his magic into Rose.

Rose’s eyes grew large as the magic swamped her. She shuddered in ecstasy and let out an “OOOOH Master!” as the magic permeated her being. Then with a wave of her hand, a few dozen elves appeared and put their hands on Rose, taking his magic from and through her.

After a minute they all dropped their hands, looking wonderingly at Harry.

Rose then said, “That is enough Master!”

Harry dropped his hand and Rose put her hat back on, while he reigned in his magic.

They all bowed and curtseyed to Harry, “What are your orders, Master?” they intoned together.

Hermione stepped forward, “We want you to make sure each of our family elves is healthy and happy! Once you have accomplished this, we want all properties repaired, and maintained as you are capable, but don’t injure yourselves!” She said firmly.

Rose glanced at Hermione. “Yes Mistress! Anything else?”

Hermione frowned, “I have heard Dumbledore has made himself home on our property.”

Rose nodded to that, with a frown of her own.

Hermione then commanded, “He is no longer welcome! No one who the Potter’s used to call friend is welcome! None of them helped our Lord when he needed it, and they are not welcome in our Demesnes! Throw them out and lock them out!”

She glanced at Harry, “Does our Master concur?”

Harry glanced at Hermione, “Any order Lady Hermione gives is the same as mine. Do as she bid.”

Rose nodded and all the elves popped away.

Grokt looked at Flitwick and grinned slightly. Soon they were back to getting the finances of the properties in order. It seemed Lady Potter handled the elves dealing with things.

Hermione just sat quietly reading a tome, and trying to ignore her burning and itching bottom, while Harry was forced to sign hundreds of forms reactivating accounts, reorganizing business and investments, collecting rent, and a hundred other things which had been in abeyance for the last thirteen years. Finally, about five hours later it was done to Grokt’s satisfaction.

Hermione had spent much of the time fidgeting, but all three ignored her. She had earned her discipline, after all.

As they were getting ready to leave, Grokt sent the kits down to the parent’s vault to get James’ and Lily’s trunks, now that they had access. Evidently both made a trunk to be given to Harry on their death. Harry was shattered when he heard this, and Hermione just supported him while they were led away to see what his parents had left him so long ago.

After they left, Grokt looked at Short-blade, “You have two kits with a great deal of potential there. Intelligent, powerful, and accepting of hard discipline. Among the youth of this generation, hard to find even in the deep holds. My compliments!”

Short-blade slammed his chest in salute and thanks. “They have provided much joy. Since I lost my mate, I had little hope for kits. Lily became one, but she sacrificed herself for her kit and is gone.”

Grokt nodded in respect, “An honorable death, then betrayed by Dumbledore and his minions. Her son now shows potential and already claimed a worthy mate. You may get that dream of playing with your grankits while your kits change the world…If they live.” And he raised a tanker of grog.

Short-blade then raised his tanker of grog. “If they live.” He saluted back in all seriousness.

Chapter Text

Chapter 16

In the family vault, Harry was looking around in wonder. There were bookshelves of grimoires, chests of jewelry, stacks of weapons, piles of furniture, a box of wands, and mounds of gold. At the front were two fairly used school trunks. When Harry shifted over to them, he placed his hand on the lock of the first chest and nothing happened.

Hermione was watching quietly, but at this point murmured "Blood lock."

Harry nodded, and looked at the lock again. Yup, it was a blood lock. He pressed a finger to it and felt the pricking of the lock taking a sample before popping open. Inside was a large pile of books and journals. He quickly realized it was his mother’s chest.

Harry blushed and glanced at Hermione, “Please go through this with me. I don’t want to run into witch stuff that would be embarrassing for my mother and me.” He looked at Hermione, slightly worried “If you see something, just decide if you would want your son to see it before showing it to me. OK?”

Hermione smiled in sympathy, “Yes, Harry.” She then saw an envelope and opened it. Quickly scanning it, she let out an “Oh! Harry! This is a letter from your mother. Read it!” she commanded as she handed it to him.

Harry looked at her and took the letter.

Dear Harold,
Your father thought we should write these letters, but it is so hard.
To imagine not being there for your first purposeful magic, first trip to Hogwarts, or to meet the wonderful witch caught by your Potter Foible…it makes me cry again.
War makes most things worse. It makes good people do bad things, and bad people… Unfortunately, you were born into a time of great unrest and some of our friends didn’t stand the test of war. I fear we were betrayed…and that is without considering Dumbledore. Things have happened which concern me, but your Godmother can explain that to you.
Dear Alice is a wonderful friend, and with Sirius being your father, I fear he will not settle down to give you a mother, so go to Aunt Alice if you have questions only a witch can answer. If you can’t reach your aunt, ask Rose to help. She is dedicated to you, like all the Potter Elves.
I have told her to keep you off a broom until you are 8, despite her calling you her ‘fledgling hawk’ after seeing you fly. I will not have you risk your neck any younger, on a stupid broom! Also, I have told Rose to sting your bottom forcefully, if you forsake your studies to play, including ride your broom! I will not have a dullard for a son! You are Magus! Like Merlin, it takes more than power. It takes study and discipline to master the higher magics. I will be very hurt if you don’t show the world just what my son can do!
When you go through this trunk, have Alice close by. I tried to remove all witch items which could confuse or embarrass you, but may have missed something. In the trunk you will find my journals, my school tomes, and my personal library. Pay special attention to the Potioning and Charms tomes. I annotated them. I was a Charms apprentice, and my bestie Severus was a Potion’s apprentice. I am considering doing a Potion’s apprenticeship after charms…but if you are reading this…
Anyway, Severus is dour, but a good wizard! Ignore the feud between Sirius and him! Those two boys will never grow up! If you tell Sev, you need help in my name, he will not forsake you.
Never forget I love you with all of my being, my beautiful boy.
Mum.

Harry sobbed for a second, and Hermione held him. After a minute he let out a great sigh and released her to move to the next trunk.

Harry felt a pricking as another blood lock released, and the chest popped open. Inside was school stuff for a boy who played quidditch. On top was a couple of envelopes. The top one was addressed to Harold Potter from his father.

To Harry:
Hey prongslet. Dad here. I’m sorry to have left you, but it wasn’t by choice. Your mother and I loved you from the moment I saw you in your mother’s arms. You with your mother’s green eyes knocked the wind out of me. Unfortunately, you were born into a time of war. We tried to hide with you but, I fear we trusted the wrong person.
You should ask your father Sirius, about that. As your oathed godfather, he knows everything. I know he loves you almost as much as me, but you should already know that, growing up with him as Dad. Know if you call him Dad, it doesn’t bother me as I just want you to have someone you can go to when you need advice, or a smack on your rump when you get stupid. Just don’t go to him for advice about your witch. Your mother would kill me, if I told you to do something so self-destructive. Go to Alice, or even better, her husband. Alice married a good wizard.
Anyway, read up in the Potter Grimoire about the Potter curses. The Potter Foible is the most important, but the Potter Hair would explain much of your life, and the Potter Luck is likely the reason you get your bottom roasted as much as it gets. Trust me, we can’t help but get into over half the trouble we get into. I certainly had many nights without sitting comfortably from it.
This chest is for you. I already know you can fly, as we had you on a training broom recently, until you mother saw and took her wand to us. Ouch! Anyway, enjoy your life, fly like a bird, and listen to the Potter Foible! It will provide you with more happiness than you can imagine. Don’t be stupid like me. Read your witch and become what she wants. What she needs. You won't regret it.
Just remember I love you and always will,
Prongs.

Hermione read the letter with him and just hugged Harry, who had tears running down his face.

Harry whispered, “They really loved me.”

Hermione hugged him from behind, “Yes, they really did. I’m glad for you.” She then looked down, and picked up the next envelope. She handed it to Harry and he opened it to find his father’s will.

Harry quickly read it. “Damn him. Damn him to hell.”

Hermione asked, “What’s wrong?”

Harry growled, “I was never to go to the Dursleys under any circumstances. They were declared known Magic-Haters, and Dumbledore witnessed the will, so he knew.” Gathering everything. Harry said, “Lets grab the two trunks and get back to the office.”

Once back in the office, Harry showed the Will to Flitwick and Grokt. Both were as irritated at his placement with the Dursleys as he was, especially after seeing the will. Despite this, everyone agreed keeping it quiet, was still the best solution…for now.

Once done with the will, Grokt without saying anything, handed the requested account accesses to Harry. Harry glanced at them, then turned and handed a card, a key, and a pouch to Hermione. While he did the same to his three, he ordered Hermione to bond the three he just handed to her. “Here, put a drop of your blood on all three and force your magic into them. They will then be locked to you. If stolen, they will either transfer to the bank or go inert.”

Hermione looked at them, “What are these for?”

Harry looked at her, “They allow you to access the Potter accounts, including your personal spending account. They are for Hermione Potter, the Countess Potter. The card is a Barkley credit card which uses mundane funds. Now lock them to you before we leave. As in do it now.”

Hermione, trying to avoid taking Harry’s money, said “Harry, I-“

Harry interrupted, “Dammit Hermione! You are my wife, the mother of my children, and everything I own is also yours. Now bond the items or I will ask Master if you need a punishment duel!”

Hermione looked surprised at Harry for making such a threat, but did see how serious he was. After thinking a minute, she aggressively bonded the three items to herself. When done, she slipped the key into her wand holster, the card into the pouch and shoved the pouch into a hidden inner pocket.

Hermione’s face, already showing irritation turned to overt anger, “If you aren’t wizard enough to spank me yourself, don’t threaten to have Master do it for you! Understand me, Harry?” she commanded.

Harry looked abashed, “But I can-“

Hermione interrupted, “Dragonshit! If you can order it, you had better learn to do it! It isn’t supposed to be easy! That way you don’t do it, unless absolutely necessary! I am not coming home from work, to hear I have two kits waiting for me to spank them, because you wouldn’t do it! Get over yourself!” she angrily ordered.

Harry looked broken. He replied quietly, “Alright Hermione. I won’t threaten you with trying to convince Master Flitwick to spank you again.”

Seeing and more importantly, feeling Harry thoroughly capitulate, quickly calmed her down. Hermione then hugged him. “It will be alright Harry. We will figure something out. If you are worried about abusing your family like the Dursleys, remember how much they enjoyed hurting you. Never hit when angry or if you think you will enjoy it. If you are still unsure, wait for me and we will discuss it before we continue together. Deal?” she consolingly asked, still hugging him.

Harry meekly asked, “OK…what about you?” and he looked up into her eyes with concern.

Hermione just looked at him, realizing his fear was for her, not from her. Harry was so clueless, but that could be remedied with patience. “Harry, you convinced Master Flitwick to spank me…and it was the right thing to do at that time. You knew I needed my Master, to show me, he valued me. If I need a spanking from my Lord and Husband, do you think having Master Flitwick do it, will make the situation better…or worse?” she calmly attempted to explain while subconsciously rubbing her still sore bottom.

Harry thought about what she said, and looked at her, much more accepting of what she was requesting. “OK…I see your point. We need to talk about this a lot more, before I do something we both will regret. Sound good?”

Hermione smiled and kissed him on the cheek, “Just talk to me Harry. I trust you.”

They turned to see both Grokt and Filius looking at the two of them and grinning. Grokt replied, “Having a worthy mate is better than a mountain of gold, but nothing worthwhile is easy. Often fun, but never easy.” With a respectful nod to Hermione.

Hermione blushed at the compliment and the realization they heard her tell her Lord to have the balls to spank her himself! Oh Morgana!

Harry was blushing too, but tried to ignore it. “Anyway, now that Hermione and I both have secure access to our spending accounts, we should get back.” Harry turned to Flitwick, “Before we leave, should I get a competition broom? The team wants to know what you are allowing, and not.”

Hermione just sighed and rolled her eyes, while Flitwick grinned at her response. He turned to Harry. “I will allow you to get a 2000, and use it for practice as the reserve seeker. If Chang is removed from play, you will take her place this year. Next year you will seeker duel for the position. I will have the captain advise her to work on her throwing, as the likelihood she beats you isn’t that great.”

Harry grinned, and they were off to Quality Quidditch supplies. Flitwick also had him buy a complete set of professional-grade armor, as well. Only stupid Gryffindors played without good armor, and Harry could now afford it.

When they got back to Hogwarts, the two immediately went to change for magical discipline.

Hermione was about to go through to her room when Harry lightly swatted her bottom causing her to jump. It was still sore from that sting. Master had been irritated! She looked at him with consternation.

Harry smiled, “Bare your bottom and bend over the bed,” he commanded, as he went and picked up some bruise balm.

Hermione blushed, thinking naughty thoughts about getting spanked and other things, but with a smile still did as she was bid. However, when Harry reached for her bottom, she stopped him, “Do you think Master is fine with you balming it away? He was really irritated with me.” She said with concern in her voice.

Harry gently moved her hand, out of his way, and started massaging the ointment into the large sting on her bottom. “I am sure if he wanted it to stay, he would have said so.” Harry smirked, “Besides, you trying to sit on that bottom for five hours, should have been punishment enough.”

Hermione blushed and groaned in pleasure as the sting vanished away. They quickly changed for magical discipline.

Someone in the common room must have noticed Harry carrying the competition broom, and all the armor, up to his room.

When Harry was showering after discipline, the Quidditch captain, Donna Morescott came in and stood there, watching him shower. She was also 6th year Prefect, gorgeous…and very female.

Harry eventually saw her standing there looking at him, and quickly yelled “Hey!” while covering his genitals and turning away.

Donna just huffed, “Do you want to be on the team or not?” she asked with irritation.

Harry yelled, “What does that have to do with you ogling my dick?” while still trying to hide his dick…which was currently growing and making the job more difficult.

Donna rolled her eyes, “I wasn’t ogling your dick…much. I was looking at your muscles and deciding if we can risk having you play this year! Think of it as a healer’s exam! I’m not interested in sex with you. You are too immature for me, and I don’t enjoy being dicked by someone who doesn’t know how to use it properly, or have enough experience to read my needs. However, I am interested in having you join the team.” She calmly explained.

Harry, realizing she already saw everything, pulled his hands away, and rapidly finished his shower. He did still keep his back to Donna as much as he could. His erection embarrassed him.

Noticing this, Donna snarked, “Cute and tight butt.”

Harry immediately slapped his hands on his rear, to cover his butt, and caused his erection to bounce around.

Donna couldn’t stop herself and gave a short laugh. She then sighed, embarrassed she had laughed at a timid firstie hiding his equipment. Donna shook her head and explained “Harry…there is one communal shower for the player’s…well separate ones for each team. I’m not showering with the Slytherin or the Gryffindors! I doubt those animals can keep their hands to themselves. Anyway, you will see us, and we will see you. This is very different from the normal students. The quidditch team is a tight group. We consider each other family, and as you know, nudity among family is ignored.”

She then smirked and pointed at his erection and said, “Though the few times I saw one of those walking around, I told my brother to take it to his room, and make it go away!” she exclaimed as she laughed lightly again.

Harry just groaned and covered up his erection once more.

Donna continued sounding apologetic, “Sorry… you are so cute covering up your boner, I couldn’t help myself. Anyway, it’s no big deal so long as you never touch what hasn’t been overtly and expressly offered. Understand?” she said warningly.

Harry calmed down, and thought for a second, “Um…I have a witch…a dedicated witch, who I haven’t seen naked. How is this to work, without hurting her?” Harry then lightly groaned, as his erection was getting insistent. He tried to ignore it and avoided looking at her, as he desperately didn’t want to ejaculate in front of anyone. Certainly not before he did it in front of Hermione!

Donna looked at his dick, and saw it was about 15 cm and nicely thick. It was completely hard and weeping precum. She nodded and grinned at Harry, “Not bad. You’ve decent equipment. You just need to go and learn to use it properly, before I would be interested.”

She then thought about his comment about his witch, and gave him a genuine smile. “Wow. That’s so cute, you thinking about her while looking at me. Tell you what. I will talk to Hermione and tell her about the situation. We will see what we can arrange. I don’t want to come between you and your witch. Anyway, we will have a special practice tomorrow after lunch to try you out. You will be there. As captain and coach, I have some leeway with the stinging hexes. With all the discipline classes you take as Flitwick’s apprentice, this won’t be new to you.”

Harry looked at her, “How do I know you will be fair?” he asked somewhat concerned.

Donna grimaced this time, “If you think I am not, we will debate the issue with Master Flitwick as judge. Only once, did that result in a punishment duel for me. I have no intention of that happening again. I will be fair.” She seriously promised.

Harry nodded, “Sounds good. If Hermione says yes, I’m in.”

Donna grinned and headed to the female showers. She then had a very similar conversation with Hermione, and ended up with one of the most interesting compromises she ever had to make. Harry better appreciate this…and be worth it!

Harry was still in his bath robe, just sitting on his bed thinking about how to have this conversation with Hermione, when there was a slam and she came barrelling into his room…also in her bath robe. Hermione stopped and looked at him.

Hermione asked accusingly, “Did she strip for you?”

Harry looked a bit confused, “Who? Donna? No, she ogled my muscles, butt…and dick. However, she didn’t enter the shower or even come close. Why?”

Hermione with a nervous look in her eyes, “She told me the team showers together and that you would soon see…some mature witches in their glory. She also warned me that many of them would be most interested in teaching you the ropes if you were interested! Are you?” she asked, still accusingly.

Harry consolingly explained, “Why do you think I sent her to you? I told her I hadn’t seen you naked yet, and if you found out I was seeing other witches bare, while they saw me bare too, it would hurt you. I also told her I would only join if you said yes. That’s why she came to talk to you. What did she tell you?” and Harry held out his arms for a hug.

Hermione then came and sat in his lap, hugging him. She huffed. “She told me to go strip and play with my wizard so the problem was dealt with. I don’t know what to do. Most witches, when they find their wizard…it is already past this point. You would have been on the team and ogling some of the prettiest witches in the school, bare. That would mean you being interested in me, occurred after you already saw them. I fear once you see a beautiful, mature witch, you won’t be attracted to me and resent the marriage.” Hermione wouldn’t meet Harry’s eyes.

Harry was upset at that comment, but realized it came from insecurity and not a lack of trust. He gently reached for her chin, and turned her face up to look in his eyes. “What do you want Hermione? I have seen glimpses of you bare, but you have never presented and posed for me…not sexually. I would love for you to do that, certainly before some skank with big tits tries to impress me, but I don’t want you to do something you are not ready to do.”

Hermione huffed again, “This is a bit ahead of the schedule, but I am not letting the first pussy you see, be on some other witch!” She then broke his hug and stood up, taking off her robe, and letting it fall to the ground.

She was bare underneath. Harry forgot to breathe with her groin a foot away from his face. He couldn’t see a lot with her legs together, but it was more than he expected to see for a while yet.

Hermione was gratified to see the wonder and love on his face. “Open your robe, Harry!”

Harry distracted by the view, looked up “What?”

Hermione than said, “If you think some skanky bitch will see your dick before me, you aren’t as smart as you act. Open your robe.” She commanded.

Harry embarrassed because he was hard, said “What about my…”

Hermione replied consolingly, very aware he was erect…he bloody well better be! “Harry it’s natural for a boy your age to get hard when the wind blows too hard. You are definitely going to be hard when you shower with beautiful girls, ugly girls, a good-looking tree…you get the idea. I want to see it first.”

Harry blushed and mumbled something.

Hermione looked at him not understanding what he said, “What was that, Harry?” she asked.

“Donna already saw me hard.” Harry quietly admitted.

Hermione sighed, and closed her eyes in obvious pain. This was exactly what she was trying to avoid, she opened them and looked at Harry intently, “Then show ME, Harry.” She implored.

Harry sighed and stood up, throwing off his robe. He was bare…and erect.

Hermione spent some time looking at her wizard’s dick. She abruptly asked, “Will you ejaculate in front of the other witches?”

Harry shocked and dismayed by that question, grabbed his dick to pull it away. He then yelled “Hermione! I don’t know! Sometimes it just happens! Ever since those healing potions, started healed me, I have been hard many times a day. I even have to ejaculate at least twice a day…and it’s happening more often! You know this!” he whined.

Hermione again trying to sound reasonable, replied “So…you are masturbating between classes, now?” she asked with a grin.

Harry embarrassingly answered, “I’m starting to need to…though I only regularly do it, in the morning…and always before I get in bed with you. Again…you know this.” He replied quietly, with a beet-red face.

Hermione quietly cajoled, “It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, and completely normal…show me.” She begged.

Harry looked at her in open-mouthed surprise and yelled, “What! That is WAY ahead of schedule!” he whined, “We don’t talk about it, because we have been ‘ignoring’ it so far. I’m not sure about this!” he complained.

Hermione calmly replied, “Harry, I won’t have problems with you in the showers with older witches, as long as everything that occurs there…without them touching you…occurs in front of me first. You just admitted you might cum in front of them. Do it in front of me first, and it won’t bother me near as much.”

Harry sounding defeated, “How?”

Hermione pulled over a chair in front of him and sat down. This time, her legs were parted a bit, and he started seeing the things he had peeked at in the anatomy books. He just got harder. Harry also noticed her pubic hair was gone, which made her labia much more visible.

Harry looked in her face with a puzzled look.

Hermione noticed the look in his eyes…which wasn’t lust, and slammed her thighs together. She then yelled out, worriedly “What?!”

Harry blushed furiously, “Your hair is gone.” he answered apologetically.

Hermione then smiled and slowly opened her legs again, to show him her vulva. She ran a hand over it, and Harry noticed the lips glistened with moisture.

’Wow! She’s aroused too!’ Harry thought with happiness…and more lust.

Hermione relaxed, at seeing the response she was hoping to see. She quietly explained, “Donna explained witches…and wizards are bare.” Hermione looked down at the bush around Harry’s erect penis. “You should remove that too, or you will just draw attention to yourself and be teased about it.”

Hermione then explained assertively, “We are not ready to touch each other, but if you touch yourself in front of me, it’s only fair I touch myself in front of you. OK?” She then ran a finger up and down her slit…spreading her slick.

Harry immediately grabbed his penis and stroked it rapidly for a minute before he groaned and a white substance shot out of it over his hand. He kept stroking for a minute before gasping in relief. He was still hard as he grabbed a towel from the dirty hamper and wiped himself off.

Hermione immediately closed her legs and stopped what she was doing.

Harry, still holding his penis, looked at her, “You didn’t finish…right?” he asked uncertainly.

Hermione blushed again, and replied, “I’m not ready for that yet, OK Harry? I was trying to get you there as it was obvious you were ready.” She explained.

Harry said, “You are really wet. How are you not ready?” he asked, obviously puzzled.

Hermione blushed even more, in embarrassment, “It takes longer for me to climax. Soon I will be comfortable enough to do that with you…but not yet.”

Harry looked confused, “I don’t understand.”

Hermione sighed and looked away, “I…can’t orgasm reliably, and certainly not when I am nervous. I just end up rubbing myself raw, and eventually stop, frustrated.” She admitted, obviously embarrassed.

Harry nodded sympathetically, “OK Hermione, I don’t want you to do something you don’t want to do.” He then grinned, “That was still absolutely brilliant! Do you think we can do it again?” he asked hopefully.

Hermione looked back at Harry, her grin returning, “Yes, I really enjoyed you climaxing because you were looking at me. It made me feel beautiful and special. However, we are staying outside touching range of each other, so no touching! We are not rushing that much! And if you let another witch touch you or you touch her, I will be very hurt!” she exclaimed in significant distress. It was fairly obvious, she thought there was no way it wasn’t going to happen, when Harry saw the beautiful older girls…who wanted him.

Harry pulled Hermione into a hug, forgetting they were both bare. His erection bumped her groin and she squeaked. Hermione quickly batted it to the side, so it wasn’t poking her there! Harry said sheepishly, “Sorry.”

Hermione huffed, “The things I do for you, Harry!” and she looked in his eyes with some frustration.

Harry grinned at her, “Gonna kiss it and make it better?”

Hermione looked away as she blushed again, at him repeating the previous comment she used to tease. Hermione looked down for a few seconds, but then met his eyes with a sheepish grin. “Someday, Harry…but not yet. Please don’t push that. It will definitely happen, but not until I’m ready.”

Harry replied confidently, “Are you kidding? After today, you are in charge of all our sexual milestones. My sexy witch is more impatient than me, and I love it!” He then looked at her seriously, "Remember Hermione, I don't want another witch. If I have to wait for you to be ready, it won't make me let another witch do it in your place! I will wait for you! Understand?" he said earnestly.

Hermione looked in Harry’s eyes and saw he meant it. Still not completely convinced, Hermione gave him a small smile and kissed him. “OK lover boy, time to get ready for dinner.” And she walked out twitching her bottom at him while looking back smiling, to see his reaction.

He immediately took himself in hand again and had to let off some more pressure before things settled down. Harry groaned loudly as he came, so Hermione had no doubt as to his needs.

Hermione, when she came back later just grinned at him, but her laughing eyes said she knew what he had to do…and appreciated him sharing it with her.

Chapter Text

Chapter 17

The next day, Harry had the time of his life. On his own broom, even wearing all the armor, he was flying like a bird. When you watched him, it was nothing like the other players. They were driving vehicles around the pitch. Harry was flying free, and it was beautiful.

Donna was watching Harry carefully, and shook her head. He was not flying like a firstie! In truth, he wasn't flying like a student at all, but a professional. Time to see if it he could fly with purpose, or was just a sky dancer. She shuddered. She ran into one of those. Brilliant on a broom, but incapable of anything involving teamwork.

She called Harry in, and soon had him doing exercises with the team. Donna grinned, the flying exercises had him already performing better than the rest of them.

The five chasers were also occasionally watching, and just shook their heads, looking at Chang with pity. Chang saw their looks, and was pissed. It was obvious, everyone thought Harry would be taking Seeker from her soon…next year at the latest.

Donna called in Harry and quickly explained basic searching patterns. She then sent Harry and Chang aloft to fight for the snitch. Chang flew in front of Harry, and had popped her chest plate loose. She ‘accidentally’ had her left tit fall out and shake in the breeze, as she flew past Harry. It was obvious she was trying to distract Harry, when Donna noticed the flash of skin.

Donna was furious and stung Chang's bottom bad enough, to almost have her off her broom. Chang yelled “OW!” and everyone looked her direction, seeing the tit hanging out.

Donna yelled, “Get both your tits down here Chang!” while she brandished her wand in an overt warning another sting, could soon be heading her way.

Chang quickly flew down, while trying to cover up. As she landed, she was trying to rub her bottom through the armor. Donna had really let her have it. Discipline Stings couldn't do any real damage, but most armor was designed to let them through, for education purposes. For all student armor, it was required.

Once Chang was down in front of her, Donna yelled “What in Morgana’s name are you doing? Showing your tits, in an attempt to distract Harry? Are you kidding me? If you need to get naked to distract an opponent, you can go play for Slytherin! They think female quidditch players are only on the team for a good blow or shag anyway! Now get your chest plate back in place and catch the snitch with your eyes and hands, not with your tits and quim. Got me?” she said yelling in Cho’s face.

Chang nodded fearfully, and quickly set herself to rights, while getting her armor back in place. She then went back up into the search pattern. Unfortunately for her, It didn’t really matter what she did, as everyone soon found out. Harry had the eyes of a hawk, and he dived like one too.

Harry was racing for the ground at full speed before Chang saw the snitch, and once she saw it, it was obvious Chang had no chance, flying significantly slower. Harry grabbed the snitch just before hitting the ground and pulled up hard. His feet brushed the grass but he was back aloft in a loop to bleed off speed, before immediately circling for a landing.

Harry stopped next to her, and handed Donna the snitch. She just looked at him with wide eyes. This was ridiculous, Harry flew at the ground, full speed! He should have ploughed, but here he was, just grinning at her. Like he didn’t realize that was the fastest and best catch she ever saw!

Donna made a decision. It wasn’t the plan, but this was worth pissing off Flitwick! She called the team back, “After that last catch, I need to make a decision. I will release the snitch one more time.” She turned and looked at Cho, “If Harry beats you again, you are reserve and he is seeker. OK, Cho?”

Cho yelled back, furious and scared “That’s not fair! I won the position fair and square!”

Richard snorted in disgust, “Against who? You had no competition. Well, now you have. If you can’t beat him, then back down gracefully. I already can see that as a beginner, he’s a better seeker than me, you too. I would have already flipped your roles, but Donna is giving you another chance. After that pathetic tit show trick, I don’t think you deserve it, but Donna is captain so shut up and win, if you want to stay seeker!” He finished yelling in her face.

Richard went over to Harry and quietly commanded, “Humiliate her, Potter!” Harry with a grin, nodded.

Donna released the snitch and both took off. Cho went into a search pattern, but Harry still saw the snitch, so was on its tail immediately. He was flying all over the place as the Snitch tried to lose him. It was a full 30 seconds, before Cho realized Harry was already on the snitch! She dived to compete, but honestly wasn’t fast enough, agile enough, or brave enough to come close. Within three minutes Harry had caught the snitch and came back for a landing.

He handed the snitch to Donna while the whole team cheered. That was spectacular. Donna shook her head and with a grin, “OK Harry is now seeker! Anybody disagree…besides Chang?” There were no takers and Chang started for the showers, only to get another sting to her bottom.

Change jumped and yelled “Oww!” She turned to look back fearfully, while ineffectively rubbing at her armored bottom, again.

Donna yelled, “You don’t abandon practice just because you don’t like something! Are you officially quitting the team Chang? If not, get your bony arse, back over here! You are still the reserve seeker, as a second-year, that is nothing to feel bad about!”

Chang came back over, and was starting to pop her bottom plate so she could rub the itchy sting. The two stings were driving her crazy.

Donna yelled at her again, “Get that armor back on tight, until practice is over! Don’t make me hex you again! Dammit Chang, I haven’t stung someone three times in a practice…ever! Do you want to be the first?” she asked, seriously exasperated.

Chang then grouchily snapped the armor back into place. She had never been stung twice during practice and it really burned! Everyone knew the armor was designed to not block sting-hexes through the butt plate for ‘training’, but this was ridiculous. She just pouted. The rest of the team ignored her.

Donna shook her head and ignored her, too. She then yelled, “OK everyone! Twenty minutes of speed drills then we are done. Seekers do ten ups and downs. Go!” she commanded.

Harry loved these drills. The point was to fly up as fast as you could until you were about five times the height of the upper hoops, then dive for the ground as fast and as low as you can get. You then arced back up, to immediately climb hard, and do it all again. Chang was lukewarm as usual. Harry came down like a hawk stooping on a rabbit.

Donna almost gasped as Harry didn’t slow down until the last few seconds. He arced so low the grass moved before he was reaching for the sky again. Wow…it was just, wow. After the fourth loop, the other players had just ground to a halt watching Harry. He never slowed, never missed, never ploughed. It was like watching a professional player.

After finishing his ten circuits, he landed and saw everyone looking at him. “What?” he asked looking puzzled. Chang was still going on her sixth.

Richard started laughing while Donna was shaking her head. Soon the other players were laughing too, and Donna laughingly said, “Hit the showers! You too, Hawk!” Everyone started walking to the locker room.

Another chaser called out, “Hawk! I like it! We have a hawk among the ravens!” The youngest seeker in a century, and after that show, he deserved it.

Once they arrived in the showers, everyone was undressing when Hermione came in. She started getting undressed too. Chang finally coming in yelled, “Hey this is for players only. Get lost Granger!”

Hermione just ignored her and continued to undress, “I am Harry’s personal bath attendant.” She snootily explained, “It’s in his contract. Sorry Chang, you aren’t important or valuable enough to get one!”

The other players, especially the boys, looked at Donna meaningfully and hopefully. Donna grinned sheepishly. “She’s not lying. The only way he plays, is if Hermione agreed. Her stipulation is she showers with him at will. Non-negotiable. Anybody disagree with my choice…besides Chang?”

Richard laughed loudly, “Wow…I should have expected something like this from Hermione, but didn’t! Well played!” he exclaimed admiringly at her. “As long as you two honor the rule, 'what happens in the locker room, stays in the locker room,' I have no complaints.”

The other boys groused about needing their own sexy bath attendant, but Donna said decisively, “No!”

Chang just said insultingly, “Fine! Let Harry see a real witch, and not a child like you, Hermione!”

Hermione looked at her in disbelief, and just laughed. She then glanced at Chang’s now uncovered tits, “I knew you stuffed!” She then continued, “Are you delusional? There are two adult witches here, and one of them is a bloody wet-dream!” she said pointing at Donna. “Morgana, she’s gorgeous enough for Play Wizard! With that quidditch bod, if Harry isn’t hard looking at that, he has to be dead!” she said admiringly.

The other three witches (besides Chang) were laughing uproariously, at the embarrassed expression on Donna. It was even funnier when a couple of the guys unconsciously hid their erections at the comment, showing it to be true!

Donna was irritated and was going to say something, when she noticed Harry was ignoring the other witches, including her. He was transfixed, just watching Hermione undress. ’Wow! He really is totally gone on her!’ she thought and dropped it.

Hermione turned back to help Harry finish removing his armor. Donna was already out of armor and bare when Harry finally, glanced at her. He took another good look, and sheepishly looked away, as he was immediately hard and embarrassed. Hermione turned his face back to her. “I have no problem with you appreciating beauty in all its forms. So long as you only touch me…or let me touch you. OK Harry?” and she kissed him with such intent; it drove Harry over the edge.

He quickly grabbed himself and stroked hard. A few seconds later, he groaned “Hermione!” As he climaxed, spraying all over Hermione.

Hermione just held him in a hug while he shuddered through his climax. When he finished, she gently turned him under the water and just hugged his back tightly. Harry, looking down with a very red face, quickly rinced his cum away, and started washing himself.

Hermione whispered, loud enough for Donna to hear, “Thank you for showing everyone how much you desire me. I love you very much.”

Harry knew Hermione's hands wouldn't go anywhere near his groin, yet, and was actually glad for it. Still…part of him really wished she would reach down and take him in hand now. He grinned, Hermione’s words removed much of his embarrassment.

One of the players, watching Hermione cling to Harry's back, snarked “Geez Harry, you won’t even get Hermione started, if you pop off so quickly! Better work on that!” and a few of the guys laughed.

Hermione with a frown let go of Harry, turned to the guys, and started yelling at them while shaking her finger in anger, “Hey guys! I’m sure you remember what it was like to be fourteen, in the throughs of puberty! You were always hard and probably came four to six times a day at the drop of a hat! That normal. Don’t give him shit about it, OK?”

Richard just laughed again. “OK we usually prank the new team member, but we will leave his puberty out of it! That work for you, Mum?”

Hermione finished by washing Harry’s back, and casually washing Harry’s spend off of herself, too. She appeared to be doing a good job of ignoring she was also bare. Once finished, she turned to Richard, and answered calmly, “That sounds fair.”

She then turned to Chang and with flashing eyes, threatened her “If a word of this reaches any other students, including Marietta, we will all know you violated the trust of the team, Chang! If they don’t hurt you for that, I certainly will. Keep your slutty mouth shut when it’s not sucking some idiot’s cock!”

’Alright, my work here is done.’ Hermione thought to herself. She turned to Harry and kissed him intently, before she gently instructed him. “Have fun with your team. I will see you in 30 minutes for magical discipline. Don’t be late.” And Hermione waltzed back out of the showers ignoring everyone else.

After watching a beautiful bare firstie control the room like a perfect, Richard just shook his head in open admiration, “I don’t know whether to envy you or not, Potter. That is one special witch you have there. Don’t blow it.”

Harry grinned back at Richard, “You don’t know the half of it, and she will birth my children, unless I am dumber than a Gryffindor!”

The whole team, except Chang, laughed and agreed with Richard. Though the girls sighed, and realized Hermione marked ownership of a quidditch player without being one. They had never seen the like.

Donna was seriously impressed, too. She then thought about what Granger said, and agreed about the risk, “Chang, she’s right. One word about him popping off too quickly, in the showers among the students and I will be coming for you. No second chances. Got me?!” she threatened.

Chang with fear in her eyes, nodded. She would keep her mouth shut.

Harry made it to magical discipline just in time. Flitwick had already started on Hermione’s shield drills. When Harry arrived, Flitwick said nothing as Harry dived in with gusto. They had a good lesson and when done, Harry asked to speak. “Master, the quidditch team has decided to make me first string. Miss Chang wasn’t competitive or cooperative to a bad enough level, that Donna was willing to risk a Punishment Duel for not talking with you first. I am trying to head that off, as I believe she is just doing her duty as captain.”

Flitwick asked a bit irritated, “Oh? How can you know this?”

Harry consolingly said, “Allow me to share my memory, and you decide Master.”

Flitwick looked surprised and impressed by the offer, “Very well. Show me the memory.”

Harry then pushed the memory forward, and Flitwick pulled it as they touched heads. He thought for a moment, “Wow…Chang needed to be replaced for just being a spoilt brat, much more her ineffectiveness as Seeker. Alright, I will let her do this, with the stipulation she understands physical and magical discipline have priority, and she can only have you practicing the two days a week we already agreed to. Understood?”

Harry snapped to attention, “Yes Sir!”

When Harry later asked Flitwick who he should have as proxy, since he would not do it, his master made a suggestion. Flitwick told Harry to send letters to Dowager Countess Longbottom, Regent Bones, Baron Greengrass, Baron Malfoy, Lord Bulstrode, and Lord Macmillan. The letters introduced himself, and that he was seeking a suitable Proxy for House Potter. He then asked if they would give their house motto and its explanation. He asked for the list of their allies and enemies and how serious each situation was.

Harry also asked for their opinion on the best way to solve the problem of first-gens and mundane raised, being incorporated into their society and how they should be treated. He asked for the best way to preserve the old ways while evaluating those new ideas with merit. In short, he asked for a serious amount of information before just giving someone the Potter proxy. Most of the families were suitably impressed with Harry’s care for his family’s station and honor.

Later, Harry was studying his healing texts when he took a break, and thought about what had happened on Samhain. He pulled all those objects over to him without a wand. All to crush and bury that troll to protect his mate. On a whim he reached for Hermione’s dragon and it flew into his hand.

Harry then tried to send it back, and it fell to the floor. He tried to call it back, and it quivered, then lay still. Harry sighed. ‘Well,’ he said to himself, ‘No one said it was supposed to be easy.’ And Harry started a regimen of calling the dragon to himself and sending it back to the bed.

Strangely enough, it actually started to work, if he wasn’t really thinking about it. Before long, he was sending the dragon around the room, while his head was buried in his books.

Naturally he was doing this, when Hermione came in. She saw her dragon flying around the room. “Harry! What are you doing to Puffy!”

Harry looked up, “Huh?” He looked at Puffy and the dragon fell to the floor.

Hermione with a frown, went over and picked it up, looking at it carefully. She then put him back on the bed with a glare at Harry.

Harry sheepishly looked at her, “Sorry. I just realized I can move objects wandlessly. I am trying to turn what was accidental magic on Samhain, into purposeful manipulation.”

Hermione looked at him, still irritated about him abusing Puffy. “You just want to be a Jedi.”

Harry grinned, “Well Duh!” He then frowned, “I also want that award to be real. If I can do it on command, I will be vindicated and not feel like a fraud.” He looked at her apologetically, “I will practice using something other than Puffy, from now on, OK?”

Hermione just huffed, “You will also teach me this, when you have it figured out.”

Harry grinned, conjured a ball, cushioned it, and went back to his studying.

Hermione just stood there open mouthed when the ball rose up, and started circling Harry’s head, all apparently being ignored while Harry studied the healing tome. She grinned so proud of her wizard. She then left shaking her head. ‘Merlin, indeed.’ She thought as she went to study herself.

A week later at breakfast, a majestic Eagle Owl came and gave a letter to Harry. Harry scanned the letter as Master Flitwick had taught and saw, there was no magic on it. He saw it was addressed to Earl Potter and from Baron Malfoy. Harry glanced up and saw Draco looking at him intently. Harry nodded and put the letter away. One did not read correspondence in public! Another lesson from Master Flitwick. This was the fourth response to his request.

It was now the third weekend of November, and time for the Hufflepuff vs. Ravenclaw game. Slytherin had beat Gryffindor, 2 weeks earlier by catching the snitch for a seeker win of 170 to 120.

Hufflepuff hadn’t really been paying attention, so weren’t aware the Ravenclaw Seeker was changed. Everyone on Hufflepuff was introduced and then Ravenclaw was introduced too. It was time for the last starting player, the seeker to be introduced, and Jordan hadn’t been paying much attention either. He did hear the new seeker was called the Hawk, but just ignored it. He snorted, it seemed the Ravens were trying to intimidate everyone else with a new seeker.

He had finished with the Keeper introduction and said, “And for seeker for the ravens…what the?” Suddenly there was excitement in Jordan's voice, “There has been a switch in the line-up! Everyone, the youngest seeker in a century, the Troll-killer himself, I give you Haaaary Potter! The Hawk!” and Harry shot out and up into the sky doing corkscrews, loops, and direction changes which looked near impossible. He then shot straight to the ground and stopped in his spot without apparent effort. Cedric Diggory just watched his landing with shock, looking a bit green at seeing his effortless arial gymnastics.

Jordan yelled, “Wow! That nickname is no lie! It seems the Ravens have snuck a real Hawk into the lineup. Hufflepuff better get it in gear, because if he sees and catches like he flies, it isn’t going to be a long game!”

Madam Hooch just glared at everyone. “I want a clean game. Start!” and she kicked open the box. Harry went off like a shot! He was on the snitch like his name’s sake and wouldn’t let go. He was chasing it up, down, around, and all over the place at full speed. It was so unbelievable that all the players just stood there and watched the run down.

After 3 minutes he chased the snitch at a wall and caught it just before colliding. He ended up having to run up the wall to avoid injury. Once he was safe, Harry pushed over backwards off the wall, and rolled flying back to Madam Hooch.

When Harry landed in front of her and held up the snitch, Madam Hooch just looked at him in shock, too. After a second, she shook her head, and blew the whistle. Ravenclaw 150 to Hufflepuff 0. There was cheering and jeering, as both teams were looking embarrassed and sheepish, as they didn't ever move from their starts.

Lee was jumping up and down while screaming, “What did I tell you! What did I tell you! That was a Cooper's Hawk locked onto prey if I ever saw one! The Ravens win thanks to the Hawk! I can’t wait to see the next game. I hope there actually is one, but unless they speed up the snitch, there might not be!”

Harry flew over to Hermione and landed. She just looked at him with shining eyes and a bright smile. Hermione shook her head in disbelief. Harry with a sheepish grin, handed her the snitch. It was fighting hard as its spell energy was still near capacity.

Harry then remounted his broom and patted the spot behind him. He turned to Hermione with a hopeful grin “Wash my back?”

Hermione blushed to her roots, but when she saw a few hopeful witches ready to take her place, immediately climbed behind Harry. Once on the broom, she grabbed him around the chest, rested her head on his neck, and hummed with contentment breathing in the scent of him.

As he rose into the air, Harry felt a spike of fear from Hermione and she grabbed him tighter. Harry turned his head and whispered in her ear, “I've got you. I would never risk my greatest posession…your trust.”

Hermione was all set to light into him for calling her his possession, and here he goes, saying something perfect! She just relaxed her grip, to show she did trust him, and kissed the back of Harry's neck.

Harry grinned and flew very smoothly over to the locker rooms before letting her down. With a grin he grabbed her hand and pulled her in.

By the time the other players had joined them, both were bare under the water and Hermione was washing Harry’s front…while holding him tightly from behind. She was pressed tightly against his back, so there was a good likelihood they both were enjoying Hermione’s nipples rubbing his back, while her hands washed/caressed his chest…even if they never dropped below his waist. Considering he was only semi hard, and both were grinning and flushed, it was easy to assume he had already popped off.

Once everyone was under the water, and a few of the players were starting to ‘wash each other,’ Richard turned to Harry, who looked entirely too satisfied. “So Harry…had to catch the snitch because you couldn’t wait any longer to get your hands on Hermione…or more likely her hands on you?” he said with a teasing lilt to his voice.

There was sone friendly ribbing, but Harry blushed while he continued to wash himself and Hermione just grinned in contentment. After a few minutes, she again spun Harry, kissed him with serious intent, “Have fun with your teammates. You finished the game quick enough that Master will be expecting to see us for magical discipline. Don’t be late,” she than turned him back to the shower, and lightly smacked him on the bottom before she walked out with another grin.

Donna just watched and grinned to herself, “Damn girl!” she said out loud with more than a touch of respect.

Chapter Text

Chapter 18

The next afternoon, Harry was walking back after discussing a few questions he had with Master Healer Pomfrey. He hadn’t been sure about some of the principles he was reading and needed clarification. He enjoyed talking with her very much, and before he knew it, he had to leave to make Magical discipline on time.

On the way down the hall, he saw Ron Weasley approaching from the other direction. Ron looked to have just come in from playing outside with Finnigan and Thomas. All three were wearing their coats and scarves, pushing and shoving each orher, while laughing at their antics as they approached.

Harry saw Ron and sighed. He was thinking of turning off to avoid a confrontation, but realized that would look cowardly. Besides, it could make him late.

When Ron saw Harry approaching, he smirked. “Well, look what we have here? It looks like a little birdie has fallen out of its nest.”

Harry looked at the three of them, and marveled at the bravery a bully usually shows, when they have enough wingman to outnumber their victims.

Harry just sighed, “Piss off, Weasel. I don’t have time for you. I’m late for class.” and he tried to keep walking past the three.

After stopping a second to listen to Harry, Ron stepped in his way, as the other two flanked him. “Ravenclaw doesn’t have any classes this afternoon. What are you hiding?”

Harry glared back at him, looking like he was ignoring the other two. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I have a private class with Master Flitwick…or did you forget I am an apprentice now?” He said tapping his red badge and smirking at Ron.

Ron just lost it, “You think you are so special!” he yelled, “Private classes with the goblin, and now on the Quidditch team without earning a spot! Must be nice to be the boy-who-lived!”

Dean and Seamus just looked worriedly at Ron. Everyone knew how much Harry hated that title by now.

Harry lashed out with a punch straight into Ron’s nose. Ron was knocked to the floor, and bleeding profusely. When Dean moved forward, from Harry's left side, he turned towards him and glared while saying, “Are you a Slytherin or a Gryffindor? Fights are only fair one on one!”

Dean then stepped back, motioning for Seamus to do the same. He wanted no part in a three on one, as everyone would call them lousy Slytherins and cowards, if they did that.

Seeing the two were staying out, Harry turned to look at Ron, who was getting back up. “Call my Master a Goblin again and I will hurt you. Go ahead. I dare you!”

Ron with a yell, came in swinging. Harry dodged most of the punches, getting clipped on the ear by one. When he had an opening, he tagged Ron with another sharp jab to the nose, breaking it, and blinding Ron from the tears and the pain. While Ron had trouble seeing, Harry slammed a punch into Ron’s stomach, making him bend over. Harry then slammed his knee into Ron’s face, doing even more damage to his nose.

Ron fell back onto the floor insensate, and just moaning in pain.

Harry looked at the two friends, “Take this fool to the infirmary. I have a class to get to!” and he ran off.

Harry was a couple minutes late for class. The door slammed open as Harry rushed inside and seeing the two looking at him, quickly came forward and snapped to attention. “Apprentice Potter reporting for duty, Sir!”

Flitwick looked at him, “Why are you late?” he asked firmly.

Harry blushed, “I was ambushed by Weasley on my way back from meeting with Master Pomfrey. I told him I was in a hurry to make your class, and he called you a goblin. I punched him in the nose for that. When he got back up, he attacked me, and I had to put him down…harder. I then had Mister Finnigan and Thomas bring him to the infirmary while I made my way here.”

Flitwick looked at him, noticing the swollen ear, “He caught you on your face. Did he get you anywhere else?”

Harry blushed in embarrassment, “No Sir. He only clipped me that one time. No other attempts landed…He wasn’t so lucky.”

Flitwick looked at him, “Why did you use your fists, instead of your wand?”

Harry looked at Flitwick, and then looked away with embarrassment, “I…didn’t trust myself to not kill him, Sir. That goblin comment…angered me.” he admitted.

Flitwick’s expression grew a slight smile, “Knowing your limitations is intelligent. Removing those limitations, more so. We will work on your mental discipline today. Let’s begin.” he calmly instructed.

Harry found himself stung more than a few times, as Flitwick worked him very hard. Harry never expected anything less.

That evening McGonagall came storming over to the Ravenclaw table after dinner. As she approached, Harry stood up from the kneeling bench he was using for dinner, and bowed slightly. “Did you want anything, Professor?” Harry asked calmly.

“You can tell me why you put Mr. Weasley in the infirmary!”

Harry’s eyebrows went up in evident surprise. He then asked her, “Did he tell you he called Master Flitwick a goblin…to my face?”

Minerva was getting angrier, “He did no such thing!”

Harry glared at her, “You could ask Mr. Thomas, or Mr. Finnigan. I don’t see them lying for Ron…this time. If that will not fly, then I can provide a memory of the event for you to peruse.”

With a frown on her face, she glared at Harry. “Why did you engage in fisticuffs like a common thug? You could have taken you wand to him, like a gentleman wizard!”

Harry looked at her, “I have not had three months of training in magic, and you want me to use my wand on another student? Are you trying to have me kill him?” he asked with obvious disgust.

Minerva was getting even more angry when Hermione broke in, “Before you say something which could be…embarrassing, you should have realized Master Flitwick has already punished Heir Potter…thoroughly. Or did you think Harry is kneeling for dinner out of choice?” she said coldly…and loud enough for the nearby tables to hear.

Minerva’s head quickly turned to Hermione with a tight frown, and then orbited back to Harry, quickly assessing him. After a few seconds, it was easy to see, he was uncomfortable and not standing easily. Combined with the kneeling bench, it was easy to surmise, Filius had taken his wand to Harry…and wasn’t gentle.

Minerva’s face took on a slight blush of embarrassment, that she didn’t notice that earlier. “Still, I think a week’s detention would be appropriate, and 50 points from Ravenclaw!”

Harry glared at her. He then loudly asked, “And what was Mr. Weasley’s punishment for calling Master Flitwick a GOBLIN?!”

There were gasps from numerous students around the dining hall.

McGonagall glared at him, “That will be another week’s detention for using that word!”

Harry continued to glare at her, and loudly answered “Ravenclaws DON’T use that word. We leave that for Gryffindors…who are obviously allowed to use it, as attested by your own actions this day.” he stated with conviction.

Minerva just glared at Harry and stormed away. On looking back at the head table, she winced. Filius overtly ignored her, but Severus, Pomona, as well as many of the other professors were looking at her with varying levels of disapproval. Severus, Pomona, and Poppy, who had each worked with Filius for over 15 years, were bordering on disgust.

’Damn Potter and Granger!’ she thought. The two of them always managed to get her goat. ’I'm not a bloody racist, but Albus forced me to defend Weasley, and now after their comments, everyone will think so!’ McGonagall just went back and sat down.

She didn’t enjoy dinner, as no one would look at her. She hissed at Dumbledore, “I hope you are happy! Being unable to punish Ronald has made me look like a goblin-hater to the other Professors!”

Albus just smiled, “Ronald is at a delicate time in his development. We need to nurture him, not knock him down.” He frowned, “Mr. Potter has done that quite thoroughly.”

Minerva forcefully whispered, “He deserved to be punished! He started the whole fight, and called Filius a goblin! If Mr. Potter had been Gryffindor, you would have given him points for what he did!”

Albus stopped smiling, “But he isn’t a Gryffindor, is he.” he said with irritation. “Eat your dinner.” He commanded before turning back to his own food.

Minerva was moping again, just pushing her food around on her plate. Albus tried to drag the other heads into a few conversations with her, but none were having it. He frowned, as having three heads angry enough to be overt about it, was a new experience for him…and worrisome.

That night, Filius used his ‘Head of House’ privileges to take Harry’s detentions for himself. He then used them for further training and study. Over the next few days, Harry realized in Ravenclaw, he was now respected almost as much as the Prefects. The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins were also more respectful, though with Slytherin it was more knocking McGonagall down a few pegs, than anything else. Naturally the Gryffindors hated him…not that Harry cared.

By mid-December, Harry had received letters from all the prospective proxies. Strangely enough, Malfoy and Greengrass had the best arguments. Harry was leery of Malfoy because of his many alliances with the most conservative houses. It was a shame, because he seemed more cosmopolitan about his understanding of the problem with first-gens.

However, Greengrass had a similar enough point of view. He didn’t hate first-gens unless they thought the mundane way was the right way, without even listening to the arguments for why the old ways existed. Something Harry could agree, was the true definition of mud-blood. In short, a prejudiced first-gen unwilling to learn and join their society is unwelcome, and a first-gen who embraced and learned the old ways to properly join society, was considered a valuable addition.

Hermione was a bit grouchy about it, but she agreed that was a reasonable position to take. Harry, after discussing things with Hermione, offered the position to Greengrass and was graciously accepted. They made an arrangement to meet over the holidays to finalize the proxy.

Harry then wrote a letter to Baron Malfoy. He explained that while he agreed with his viewpoint, on more subjects than with Lord Greengrass, the number of alliances Lord Malfoy maintained with houses who did not share his view was too much to risk, and he was sorry about it. However, he respected him and wished to continue correspondence.

In fact, Harry asked if he could discuss tutoring in proper old ways comportment and history to be taught by his wife, the Baroness Narcissa Malfoy nee Black. As a Black himself, (grandson of Dorea Potter nee Black), he felt the shame of not knowing his heritage, duty, and the proper way to comport himself as Earl Potter and a Black. He also had a wife who desperately needed the training too and he would be beholden to Lord Malfoy if his wife was willing to provide this service. Harry then mentioned when he would be available for said classes and awaited an answer.

A week later, Baron Malfoy responded. He was sorry they could not have a more formal arrangement with Proxy, but understood the concerns with some of his more conservative alliances. He saluted Harry for making the ‘wiser’ choice of the Grey house Greengrass, as the Potters had been leaders of the Grey for centuries…before Harry's grandfather joined Dumbledore.

As far as tutoring, he would be ecstatic to help repair the dearth in Earl Potter’s training. The Lady Malfoy was willing to discuss with him the training of another Black, and bring him and his wife, up to proper deportment. An engagement was made for the holidays to have Lady Malfoy assess their suitability and make final arrangements.

After Magical Discipline, Harry asked, “Master, I have a question. The two meetings I have arranged with the Greengrass and the Malfoy. How will I get to them, while staying at the Grangers over the ‘hols?”

Hermione looked at Harry, and then at Filius for the answer.

Filius smiled, “Now that the Granger residence is the official residence of Earl Potter, since they are your guardians now…and who also happens to be my apprentice and grankit, and married to my daughter, another apprentice of mine…arrangements have been made. The Duende high council have decided Duende War Wards are to be placed on the house.” He smirked, “Nothing short of an army is bringing down those wards, before an appropriate retaliatory response is arranged.”

Hermione asked, “Is that normal, Master?”

Flitwick smiled kindly at his daughter, “Not at all. Blood-axe and I both, entreated the high council that the two of you warranted such an expense…and after taking the measure of your parents, I think they are worth protecting as well, to give the two of you a safe home away from the school.”

Hermione then threw her arms around Filius in a tight hug, “Thank you, Master!” she exclaimed in relief.

Filius patted her shoulder, and broke the hug, “You are welcome, daughter. Having the house so warded has allowed us to make a Floo access point. Password protected. You will be able to go to the Greengrass, and have Lady Malfoy come to the house as needed. I also will use the Floo for your morning and afternoon training. Something we will continue with all enthusiasm.”

About one week before it was time to go home, Professor McGonagall came over at dinner. “The Headmaster needs to see you for a matter of gravest emergency. You need to come now.” She ordered seriously.

Harry put down his silverware and replied calmly, “Have Master Flitwick collect us and we will meet you presently.”

McGonagall then frowned, “Did you not hear me? It is an emergency! Come now!” she ordered loudly.

Harry remaining calm, just raised an eyebrow and replied, “Then you better rush to get Master Flitwick as soon as you can. You are wasting time,” and Harry picked up his silverware to continue eating.

McGonagall paused for a second, but when it was obvious Harry wasn’t following orders, with a furious expression on her face, she rushed off.

About twenty minutes later, Master Flitwick came over. “I hear you were rude to Professor McGonagall.” He stated calmly.

Hermione shook her head and replied with slight irritation, “He was curt and uncompromising in his unwillingness to meet with Headmaster Dumbledore without you. I don’t see how she can call that rude.”

Flitwick smirked, “Well, let us be off to find out what is so emergent.”

The three of them were soon in Dumbledore’s office. Again, Snape and McGonagall were present and standing to the side while waiting.

Flitwick and his two apprentices, ran up to the desk, came to attention and stated, “We are here for the emergent meeting you requested, headmaster.”

Dumbledore looked at Flitwick and dismissed him, “Thank you Filius, you may go.”

Before Flitwick could respond, Harry interrupted with obvious anger, “Well it was a pointless and short meeting, not much of an emergency. I will remember that for next time,” and Harry started leading Hermione back to the door.

Dumbledore quickly shouted, “Stop! Fine! Filius, please stay. This is important! I just figured you would want privacy for such sad family news.”

Harry turned back with disbelief, and yelled, “Yet your two lieutenants are here! Is that your definition of privacy?” He then switched to a threatening growl, “So help me, if you mention how much you trust them, we’re leaving immediately!”

Dumbledore just looked at him like he was a child having a tantrum, but replied consolingly “Ah…I see your point. Very well, everyone stays,” and he sat there looking at Harry with faint disapproval.

Harry waited a few seconds before he had enough, “Well? If it’s an emergency, get on with it!” he yelled again, obviously very angry.

McGonagall huffed at the rudeness, but said nothing when Harry turned and glared at her. His look of someone not appreciating their ‘private’ conversation being interrupted, stimied her.

McGonagall just blushed, and stayed silent, as she acknowledged the obvious point Harry’s cold eyes were drilling into her.

Dumbledore noted Harry shutting down Minerva and sighed, “It’s hard to say this, but your family is dead. The Dursley’s had a fire…elektrikal or some such. All three died in it. Even your cousin died. I’m sorry, Harry.”

Harry just snorted, “Wow, the Potter luck can be helpful, too. Saves me the trouble of killing them myself. Will that be all Headmaster?” he asked without a care in the world.

Dumbledore looked at Harry with sadness and surprise, “Harry! They were your family! How can you be so cold and dark? They provided for you.”

Harry looked back with disbelief, “Well Percival, they were my slavers and my torturers. I had the scars to prove it.” He then glared at Dumbledore, “And copies of photos showing my previous condition, you haven’t destroyed. They were not my family and that was NOT my home!” Suddenly three devices popped and smoke curled up from them, on the nick-nack shelf.

Harry turned to look, “What was that?” he asked, concerned.

Dumbledore sighed, “Just the collapse and failure of the protections placed on that house by your mother and me. It was active as long as you considered it your home.”

Harry replied disbelievingly, “More lies. I read the will. I know my mother despised her sister and the feeling was mutual. It was why, the will expressly forbid me being placed with them, being known magic-haters. You know this having witnessed it.”

Minerva couldn't believe what she was hearing, and screeched “Albus! How could you?”

Dumbledore looked furious at Harry after shushing Minerva. “Be that as it may, we need to fin-”

Harry interrupted, “Stop! It is no longer your concern! I believe you said as much our last visit. Don’t worry. Arrangements have been made for me to live with my wife, the Countess Potter, and OUR parents.” And Harry made his ring visible.

Everyone looked at it, and glanced Hermione’s direction.

Hermione with a blush and a smile made her ring visible too.

All three reacted with surprise, and Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, “I see.” He turned to Filius, “You were more thorough that I thought, though I didn’t figure you letting them slip the leash so soon.”

Filius looked at Albus with disbelief. He then barked out, “ATTENTION!” and his apprentices responded by instantly coming to rigid attention. He glared at Albus with contempt and derisively explained, “Please…I can punish them until they do precisely as I demand. However, to get that power over them, I had to promise their mating, and unlike you, I always keep my promises. It works out, because if Harry gets uppity, I will just punish his wife until he capitulates. I have absolute control. Anything else, headmaster?” he asked with an arched brow.

Harry and Hermione looked like scared rabbits standing rigidly at attention. Hermione’s eyes were almost tearing up in obvious fear, but she didn’t move a muscle. Snape smiled as Filius definitely had them under control.

Filius then glanced at his apprentices. “Dismissed! Return to base!”

Both Harry and Hermione barked “Sir!” and they spun about and ran from the room.

Filius watched them leave and waited for the door to close behind them. He then turned back to Dumbledore, with flashing eyes and a harsh set to his jaw. “Before you say something foolish, yes, I arranged for the Dursleys to have an accident. It gives me complete control over those two, as they will stay with the Grangers who are under Duende War Wards…controlled by me. Any other questions?” he asked with obvious irritation.

Dumbledore just looked at Filius, realizing how thoroughly he locked down the Potters, “No…you can go.”

Filius smirked, “Yes Albus.” He turned to leave then stopped, “Oh Albus? Don’t ever try to meet with them again, without me. They are under express orders to refuse. No emergencies, no exceptions.” And he left.

Dumbledore looked at Minerva getting ready for another tirade, “Don’t Minerva! You know what is at stake! Voldemort will return and Filius is doing a wonderful job turning Harry into a weapon to use against him. We just need to remind Filius, we are all on the same side.”

Minerva looked at him with profound sorrow and disbelief, “But Albus, the Will! You betrayed the trust of the Potters!”

Albus yelled at her, “You’re damn right I did! Lives are at stake! I sacrificed one child to save hundreds! You know how close we were to losing! Grow up!” he ordered while glaring at Minerva.

Minerva sobbed, “You are right, Albus. But to purposefully hurt a child,” she said with profound grief.

Albus sighed and explained quietly, “I have nightmares about what I have done. It still was the only solution to present itself."

Minerva just nodded, unable to speak.

Snape muttered “Impressive!”

Dumbledore just frowned and glared at him, not knowing if he was referring to Filius' control of the Potters, or his of Minerva...likely both.

Flitwick came into the training room, to find Harry and Hermione nervously waiting for him. As soon as he entered, he saw Hermione clutch tighter to Harry, and look at him with fear.

Flitwick sighed, more bothered by her fear than he cared to admit. “Hermione. Think about what I said to Headmaster Dumbledore. Was anything different from how things are now? What makes you afraid?”

Hermione said with tears in her eyes, and an obvious tremor in her voice, “You said you would hurt us if we didn’t obey you. You said you would hurt ME, if Harry needed to be controlled!” she quietly wailed while clutching tighter to Harry.

Flitwick locked away his discomfort, and shrugged, “All true and I have done so. I can’t see a situation where Harry fights me to the point where I have to seriously hurt you, but that card is definitely, still in the deck.”

Hermione exclaimed, “I can’t believe this!” in overt disbelief.

Flitwick frowned then flicked his wrist. A bright spark quickly arced around the room and burned into Hermione’s bottom.

“AHHH! Master!” she wailed. It was a powerful sting, and she started crying while furiously rubbing her badly burning bottom.

Flitwick with a furious look in his eyes, growled loudly, “This world isn’t fair! I can punish you for anything, including because I don’t like the weather outside. That is my right! Does it mean I will do it? I don’t intend to do so. However, when you study diplomacy, you will learn to speak the language of the one with whom you are negotiating. This is precisely what Dumbledore would do with this power, so he readily believes I will use it that way too. He now knows I have absolute power over the two of you, so will ignore you as being my tools. He will rightly assume you are my hands, and everything you do, is because I told you to do it.” He then looked at the two of them, “That means if you do something I don’t like, expect to have very sore bottoms soon thereafter. Got it?” he threatened.

Hermione after getting control of her crying, replied still hiccupping, “So this makes us appear completely controlled, and helpless before you. He will ignore us as long as we don’t embarrass you, unless severely punished for it, if we do. I see what you did Master, but it still terrifies me,” she said with an obvious tremor and fear in her eyes.

Flitwick sighed. He was surprised how much her fear of him…hurt. “It really is the same power your parents have, just without the expected safeguards. Haven’t I proven how much I care for you, daughter?” he asked with a softer edge to his voice.

Hermione then sobbed, “I’m sorry Master, I love you too! I was just afraid, your words to Headmaster Dumbledore really scared me. Forgive me?” she asked with obvious hope.

Flitwick held out his arms and Hermione rushed to him, holding him tightly and crying loudly. It was a few minutes before she cried her fear away. This time Flitwick willingly held her, until she settled down.

Harry just looked at him fiercely with understanding of the gambit played.

There was also a warning in Harry’s eyes, one Duende warrior to another, that if he did abuse Harry’s mate, one of them would die. Flitwick saw the warning, and nodded his agreement and acceptance of the terms. He could only respect the warning. In his position, Filius would do the same.

Things quieted down again after that. The two continued to learn as quickly as they could, and did their best to ignore Dumbledore and his lieutenants outside of class. It was mutual, as neither Snape or McGonagall ever mentioned what happened in Dumbledore’s office.

Soon it was time for winter solstice and Yule vacation. Harry had asked, “Master, how do you want us to continue our training over the ‘hols?”

Flitwick grinned, “Remember your parent’s house is now protected. As such, it has a Floo point. I will be joining you, and showing your parents your training, so they understand it. Obviously, we will not be doing the obstacle course, so I will show you alternative methods of proper physical training. For when you are forced to exercise in a smaller space, and with fewer training accessories.”

Flitwick looked at Hermione, “Your parents know how Harry was treated at the Dursleys, and that Dumbledore orchestrated it. They wanted to take you from the school, but I informed them that was not legally possible. The ministry would just take you from them, and oblivate your existence from their memories, if they tried. Naturally, they were distressed. I oathed myself to treat both of you as my kits, and I meant it. They know about the harsh training necessary because of how powerful the two of you are, though they are fuzzy on my discipline methods.”

He kept looking at Hermione, “If they are typical modern parents who believe kits should be their friends and coddled, you may want to hold off on sharing the discipline with them. If they properly understand such things, share as much as they can tolerate. Remember, they have no say in this, so if you wish to spend time with them, don’t make them my enemy. Understood?” he finished, looking at her very seriously.

Hermione looked distressed at having to mislead her parents, and the possibility of them realizing she was out of their control and protection. However, she loved them very much, and realized getting them to accept her new reality, would allow them to stay in her life. She nodded, “I understand, Master. I will do all I can to make them accept my new reality, and realize it really is the best of the possible paths, I could have been forced to take.”

Harry asked, “What do they know about her relationship with me?” he asked with obvious worry.

Flitwick smiled at Harry, “They know that you are married in our world, and that it is permanent. As such, they know you will eventually be her husband in their world, and the father of her children in the future. I told them the normal age of consent is 16, and we negotiated. They realize the two of you will likely be having sex from Harry's 16th birthday, being the younger of the two of you, but they mandated birth prevention, as they want no children from Hermione until she is at least 18 and preferably a few years older. They also mandated a bonding ceremony of marriage at their place of worship, shortly after Hermione’s 18th birthday, and certainly before she is pregnant with her first child. Understand?”

Harry then asked with some concern, “Do they know we need to sleep together?”

Flitwick’s grin turned vicious, “No. I left that for you to explain. Consider it a good diplomacy exercise. If you wish to sleep with your mate, convince them of the necessity. I don’t recommend killing them if they baulk. It is bad form to kill your mate’s parents. It is done…but is still considered bad form.” He said with a smirk.

Hermione huffed at her Master's jest, “Master! Must you?” She turned to Harry, “WE, will discuss it with them…after you ask my father for my hand. Remember, it is your duty to meet my father alone, and convince him you have my best interests at heart, and will provide for me and my children properly. Don’t worry Harry, he will love you…eventually.”

Harry just groaned at Hermione’s vicious grin joined Flitwick’s. Flitwick laughed loudly at her prank on her mate. It was hilarious.

Chapter Text

Chapter 19

It was almost time to go home for the ‘hols. Harry noticed Flitwick was carrying some extra equipment, as he approached them for their morning training. Flitwick came forward to the two of them, while they were standing at attention. “Put these on.” He ordered, as he dropped some items at their feet.

Harry glanced at Hermione and reached down for the leather garments. Hermione shared the look, and quickly bent down to pick up hers as well.

Flitwick pointed at the items, “These will make training harder so you can do more in a smaller area. The wrist bracers will be set to add weight to your arms, and the calf bracers will do the same to your legs. The vest will do even more for your torso. I have set Harry’s for 2kg arms, 3kg legs, and 10kg torso.” He then looked at Hermione, “Yours will be similar but less.” He pointed to them, “Get them on.”

Once both had placed them on properly, Flitwick instructed, “Now just force your magic into them, and they will activate.”

Hermione pushed her magic in and suddenly felt the added weight. “Woah! That…” Hermione started to complain, but fortunately looked at Flitwick, and noticed he was starting to frown at her. Knowing his response to complaining, she immediately changed what she was going to say, “will give us a good workout, Master!” she lamely finished.

Flitwick grinned at her changed ‘appropriate’ response, and let it go. He then pulled out his jump rope and motioned for them to join him.

Flitwick started jumping with his rope, and was soon followed by Harry and Hermione. They were struggling with keeping a rhythm.

Harry noticed Hermione was started to get frustrated and gasped out, “Don’t Hermione! Stay calm and just try to improve.” He urged her.

Hermione glanced at Flitwick who had his eyes on her, and she knew why. She visibly calmed herself and just forced herself to continue. Shortly, her master nodded and was no longer looking irritated enough to sting her. Hermione sighed to herself and just forced herself to keep going.

Flitwick then had them do the rest of their calisthenics, including push-ups, sit-ups, burpees, squats, lunges, and leg lifts. Once done with those he moved over to a high-bar.

“The high-bar is one of the stations on the obstacle course, but takes little room. One will be placed in your yard. You will continue to try to stand on it, but failing that, will do muscle ups, and failing that pull-ups.” He then leaped the three feet to the bar, did a muscle up, and with ridiculous agility stood up on the bar. Once up there he called down, “Remember the goal is 20 of these.” Flitwick leaped down and rolled back to a stand, before he pointed at Hermione, “Get to it.”

Hermione leaped to the bar and missed it. She immediately blushed, bent down and leaped higher. The extra weight was interfering with her jumping, she had realized. Once hanging from the bar, she tried to pull herself up, but was only able to get her head over the bar. After a second, she let herself hang free and tried again. She was unable to pull herself up for her fourth pullup and fell from the bar, looking at Flitwick nervously.

Flitwick noticed her concern, “The extra weight will throw you off, each time it is increased. Naturally, this will affect your performance. So long as you actually try your hardest, Hermione, I shouldn’t need to motivate you. Now let Harry go.”

Hermione’s face relaxed in relief and she immediately, moved aside before standing at parade rest, though she was pumping like a bellows, red and sweaty from her attempts. She wasn’t smiling, but she wasn’t frowning either.

Harry glanced at Hermione, relieved she got through it without more stings. He leaped up, grabbed the bar, and pulled it up to his waist. He then tried to use his momentum to get his foot on it, but realized he hadn’t pulled hard enough and his foot banged into the bar, sending him spinning over the top, and crashing to the ground.

Harry just grunted, quickly rolled to his feet and leaped back up. Harry was able to muscle up five more times before he fatigued out. He only tried one more time to get up on the bar, and fell again. Once he was too tired to muscle up anymore, he stopped and stood in parade rest, with a frown on his face.

Flitwick just raised an eyebrow, and Harry admitted, “Just disappointed with my performance. This will be a challenge for a while.”

Flitwick grinned, “Yes, it will. The bar is long enough that the two of you can work at the same time. You will start to do so. With that in mind, stick your boots to the bar and give me 100 hanging sit-ups. Go!”

Harry immediately leaped for the bar, and hooked the toe of his boots over it. He released his right hand, popped his wand and cast a sticking charm, locking his boots to the bar, though he still needed to curl his toes up to keep from pulling out of them. Harry immediately sheathed his wand and started bending up and touching his toes.

Hermione jumped when a sting caught her bottom. She let out an “Ouch!”, and knowing she had already waited too long, she quickly jumped forward to start the exercise herself. They both did the exercise until they fatigued out. For Hermione, it was her feet cramping, and she was in danger of falling out of her boots. She pulled her wand and unstuck herself, falling into the dirt with a grunt.

Hermione rolled up and stood at parade rest, again gasping for air, but at least she wasn’t stung again. She watched Harry do another 20 or so, before he also fatigued out and let himself fall.

Flitwick nodded as Harry also came up into parade rest. “Very good.” He then pulled practice staffs for the three of them. “Let’s continue. Today you will start staff fighting. Come on guard. Three strikes, fight!”

The two of them took their staffs and looked at each other. They had practiced the different techniques and traded blows, but had never actually tried to hit each other before. Harry came in, feinted low and when Hermione dropped her guard, went to strike her head. However he pulled the hit so it wouldn't strike her. ZAP! “Ouch.” Harry glanced at Flitwick, and noticed he was frowning at him.

While Harry glanced at Flitwick, he had dropped his guard. so Hermione struck him in the side, but with little power behind it. ZAP! “Ow!” she yelled, also glancing at Flitwick and getting no further instruction.

They went back and forth like that for a bit. Soon, Harry found another opening, but wouldn’t strike that time either. ZAP! “Oww.” Harry exclaimed.

Flitwick shook his head and called out, “Halt!” He then turned to Hermione, “Hermione turn around and bend over, presenting your bottom to Harry.”

Hermione looked confused, turned around, and bent over with a suddenly red face as she presented her bottom.

Once she was bent over, Flitwick turned to Harry and ordered, “Now smack her bottom with the staff as hard as you can.”

On seeing Hermione start to move, he turned back to her. “Hermione! I will sting you hard if you move! Now bend over, stay still, and trust me!”

Turning to Harry, he ordered “Do it!”

Harry then grit his teeth, and swung the end of the staff hard, smacking into her bottom.

Hermione flinched for a second “Ouch!”, but then relaxed, “Hey that wasn’t too bad. Without the stings making me already sore, I would barely feel it!” she exclaimed in relief.

Flitwick nodded, and said “Now reverse! Bend over Harry and left Hermione hit you.” Turning to Hermione, “If you swing soft, I will nail your bottom again. Do it properly!” he warned.

Hermione yelled, “Sir” and swung as hard as she could. She caught Harry right in his sit spots at the base of his bottom, and stepped back looking worryingly at Harry.

Harry stood up, looking slightly disgruntled “OK…why didn’t you tell us these are charmed to sting us a bit, but do no damage?” he said as he turned to Flitwick.

Flitwick shrugged, “Some things need to be learned…like trusting me.” Both furiously blushed and looked down in shame. Noting their response, he then ordered “Now come on guard! Three strikes! Fight!” They fought much better now and after taking two strikes to her arms, Hermione was able to dodge and jab the staff in Harry’s face. He then spun and landed a blow in her kidneys.

“Halt! Victor, Harry! Not bad for starters. We will be doing this daily as well. Go get cleaned up and balm your bottoms. I will see you tomorrow morning for training, and tomorrow night for a double to make up for missing tonight. Don’t forget to bring your bruise balm home with you. If you forget…well you will develop a stronger relationship with pain. I don’t recommend it at your age, though when you get older, I may be disallowing healing for punishment as well. Be aware. Dismissed!”

Both showered, and balmed their stings away. After breakfast, they finished packing their trunks and went to get on the train. While waiting to board, Harry looked at Hermione, “Do you really think your parents will accept me? Knowing we are married and without any input from them, first?” He looked worried at Hermione. “If a boy had claimed my daughter without so much as a conversation, first; I would be rather irritated with him, too!” he admitted.

Hermione hugged Harry, “It will be fine. We will explain everything to them. Remember, you didn’t do this on purpose. Because of Dumbledore, you didn’t even know about the Potters and their Foible, either. You were caught by it, just as much as I was.”

Harry looked at her worriedly, “Still…”

Hermione looked at him, “Did you trick me?” she asked, interrupting him.

Harry looked at her, “I didn’t try to, but the Foible…”

Hermione shook her head, “Not your fault, as you didn’t know!” she said emphatically. She then asked, “Did you abuse me? Use our relationship to take advantage of me?”

Harry looked devastated she could think such things, “I did not! I could never take advantage of you!” He then looked guilty, “Still, I know I just have to wait and you will be mine. Doesn’t that take advantage of you? Removing your right to choose?” he asked worriedly.

Hermione thought for a minute as that was an important question. After that minute she looked at Harry, “I don’t think so, as you don’t have a choice either. If you could, would you choose to regain your right to choose to pick someone else…or stay with me?” and there was a bit of worry in her eyes on asking this question.

Harry looked at her with sudden understanding, “No! If I could choose, I would still choose you! I will always choose you! Why else am I willing to wait for you?” and Harry frowned in irritation, “with all of these witches offering everything to me?” and he grabbed her face to look in her eyes, “Because you are everything I could hope to have in my life.”

Hermione smiled, “And I feel exactly the same way. If I had the ability to choose, I would still choose you. Every time.”

She started reciting while looking in his eyes, “Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments; love is not love which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove.”

Harry relaxed and caressed her face. He continued the poem, “O no, it is an ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken; it is the star to every wand’ring bark whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.”

Hermione kissed his forehead, “Love’s not time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks within his bending sickle’s compass come.”

Harry kissed her forehead back, “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom.”

They finished it together, “If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved.”

Hermione smiled at Harry. “Have faith in me…in us. OK Harry?” she asked looking deep in his eyes.

Harry smiled his beautiful broken smile and nodded. It was time to enter the train and go home.

The train ride home was fun as Hermione spent time with Padma. Harry spent most of his time studying, thought he did say “Hi” to anyone who came by. Most were curious about the three different colored balls that were rotating around the room, in different patterns, while Harry was reading.

Harry was sitting there with a blue, green, and yellow ball drifting in a lazy intricate pattern, in front of him. He wasn’t watching. The fact that he was doing it without a wand impressed and scared more than one student.

Draco knocked on the door and opened it. Harry was reading a large tome, while the three balls circled in front of him.

Harry looked up and smiled, “Hello, Draco. Ready to go home for the holidays?”

Draco raised an eyebrow at the three balls apparently moving without direction. Harry glanced at them, and they started making a different complex pattern in the air. Harry stated, “An exercise I am doing. I killed the troll with accidental magic…and no wand. I am trying to master that ability as it could be useful in the future.”

Draco snorted, “No kidding…though I have no idea how you are doing it.” He paused for a second, “Anyway, I wanted to say have a good Holiday, but also warn you about my mother. I understand you will be taking comportment classes with her. Be careful. She enjoys punishing failure…a lot.”

Harry frowned, “You aren’t saying she is malicious, cruel, or unfair?” he asked, worried about Hermione.

Draco frowned, “Of course not!” and he paused for a moment, “It’s just she…enjoys her sting hexes, and is very free with them. She won’t outright manufacture a reason to use them on you, but is very good at finding legitimate reasons to do so. Any weakness or failure, will rapidly become very painful. Be aware.”

Harry looked at him and nodded. The balls now circling his head.

Draco glanced back at the balls. “I’m not sure I will ever get used to that. See you next term. Lord Harry.”

Harry nodded, “You too, Draco.” And Draco took his guards and left.

Harry was back to reading the second healing tome and loving the information on genetic disorders, age-related disorders, trauma, poisons, pathogens, and pathology.

Hermione knew how much he wanted to pass to at least apprentice on the journeyman exam, so left him alone, except for the occasional hug and brushing of his hair. Harry would look up, smile, and return to his studying.

It was approaching egress time and Harry with a sigh, put his book away. He looked troubled, as he held out his hand and the three balls settled in it.

Hermione came over to hug him. “You are getting very skilled with those balls.” She said with a smile. She then looked at his concerned face and squeezed him again, “It will be alright Harry. They have already said they will be your mundane guardians and know we are engaged. Really the only issue is us convincing them to let us sleep together, and that we are not yet pleasuring each other…at least not our sexual zones. We will let my mother witness our massages tonight and tomorrow so she understands nudity and touching each other really isn’t an issue. Trust is everything. It will work out. OK?”

Harry smiled and hugged Hermione back. “I really love you, Mine. Never forget that.”

Hermione grinned and melted against him, “I love you too, my everything. You don’t forget that either. Remember Harry, we know that my parents already know. We have spent the last few weeks practicing for this conversation. Just keep to the plan and we will blow them away not acting our age, and not hiding anything. We practiced this.” And they just held each other until it was time to leave the train.

The two gathered their trunks and grabbed a dolly to roll them out the entrance. Harry had left Hedwig’s bird cage at Hogwarts, telling her he would call her to him once they were at the Grangers. She was a good bird and never made a mess if not forced to be in a cage.

They rolled out of the arch and looked around. Hermione saw her parents first, and ran up to her father, who picked her up and swung her around. Hermione was laughing freely with a happy grin, as he set her down for another hug. She then hugged her mother and they kissed each other on the cheek while her parents looked at her. There was much to see as Hermione had grown an inch, and her breasts and hips were slightly larger, especially with her smaller waist. Most surprising to them, Hermione’s hair was now in beautiful waves of brown, without any of the fizziness they had been unable to defeat throughout her life. Also surprising was the obvious muscle definition in her legs and arms shown by her short-sleeved short dress.

Mr. Granger then turned to Harry. He was nothing like he had remembered him. Harry was 20 cm taller and had to be double his previous weight, and it was all muscle. The definition on him rivalled a boy much older than 14, with the rippling muscles under his shirt, very obvious. He snorted to himself, only magic could have changed Harry this much.

There was also a power about him which was undeniable, and his eyes almost glowed with a green fire. Dan was looking at him, and noted how he was currently watching Hermione with her mother. There was a kindness and happiness, evident in Harry’s eyes at seeing Hermione happy. He was definitely smitten.

Dan cleared his throat and Harry eyes snapped to him, almost coming to attention. ’military training?’ he wondered. Dan said, “How are you doing Harry?”

Harry replied crisply, “Good Sir! Thank you for having me, Sir!”

’Definite military training! What gives?’ Dan smiled, “Please Harry, call me Dan. You will be living with us from now on, and I can’t have you calling me sir all the time, though the curtesy is appreciated.”

Harry smiled, “I will try, S- Dan, but our Master pushes proper discipline, so if you give me a command, don’t be surprised if I revert to Sir. It’s instinctive at this point.”

Dan frowned, “Your Master? As in Master Flitwick?”

Harry replied, “Yes, Sir. Master Flitwick has taken us as official apprentices, so is our Master now, in every way that matters. He has taught us so much, and kept us from hurting the other students, by teaching us rigid control of ourselves and our emotions at all times.”

Emma also listening asked, “Why would that be necessary?”

Harry thought for a second. “What would happen if a rambunctious 300kg gorilla wrestled roughly with a one-year-old? That is what could happen if either of us got into a magical fight with a fellow classmate. Fortunately, we are learning the control and discipline, to control our instinctive impulses.”

“It can’t be that bad,” Emma denied, as they led the kids over to the car.

Hermione shook her head with an embarrassed frown, “Oh it can! Remember Harry to save my life, crushed a 2.5 meter, 400kg magic-resistant troll into pulp. He reduced it to red soup. None of the professors could have done that. If someone angered him enough, his magic could lash out and their magic would have no chance to save them. Mine is less than his, but nearly as dangerous. It is the reason I submitted myself to such harsh training and discipline. It worked!”

The two parents glanced at each other with a worried expression, but immediately schooled their faces to polite happiness. Dan, looking back at Harry asked, “Didn’t you used to have glasses? I don’t see contacts. What gives?”

Hermione smiled, “Harry’s eyes were corrected…like so much else.” She then grinned, “It readily explained why almost no one wears glasses, except those cursed or very old.”

Dan smiled “Ah.” And led them back to the car. Harry and Dan then loaded the car, and they all headed home.

On the way home, Emma turned to look at the two in the back seat. She noticed how they sat glued to each other, and held hands. They were looking in each other’s eyes, but not saying anything. Emma with a smirk to herself, wondered how much they were communicating silently. The emotions were obvious enough, but they almost looked like it was more than that. She then asked, “So Harry how was your year?”

Harry’s eyes snapped to meet hers at the question, but he never released Hermione’s hand. Harry grinned and responded happily, “It was wonderful, ma’am. Hermione is so brilliant! She is the top student of our year and I am the only one close to her. Even I don’t give her competition!”

Emma smiled at the smitten boy, “Harry, call me Emma, I insist.”

Harry replied, “Yes,…Emma. Though like I warned Mr. Granger, don’t be surprised if I revert to ma’am or Mrs. Granger if you give me an order or become cross with me. At this point it is instinctual. Master Flitwick is a harsh taskmaster, but we actually love it! Don’t we Hermione?”

Hermione laughed, “I wouldn’t say love it, but I do appreciate the personal attention. He trains us four hours every day of the week, and we are learning much faster than the other students because of this. If his personal attention, sometimes results in punishment, it is only because we made a correctable or foolish mistake, and he expects it to be fixed immediately. As much as I might not like it at times, I must admit he is fair and generous with his teaching.”

Dan grinned on hearing his daughter was making her mark, “So Hermione, top of the class?” he couldn’t help crowing a bit.

Hermione huffed, “Yes I am top of the class, but that is classwork! You should see Harry. His magic is beautiful, subtle, elegant, and oh so powerful! He is also using his personal time to study to become a Healer’s apprentice! If he used his free time to study like I do, he could easily rival me!”

Emma smiled hearing that, “So Harry, you wish to be a healer? Did you know that Dan and I are endodontist and orthodontist? We are tooth healers and would love to see someone follow in our footsteps!”

Hermione whined, “Muuum! I haven’t decided what I want to do! There are so many wonderful opportunities in the magical world! I just want to experience them all before I decide! I haven’t ruled out healer! I just haven’t ruled out, anything else, either!”

Emma gave a light laugh at getting a rise out of her daughter. Hermione groused, “Mum,” and crossed her arms over her chest in a fit of pique.

Emma still in a light mood, “So Harry, what made you wish to be a healer?”

Harry took a deep breath and let it out. “Our training is brutal. However, we have a healing salve that when rubbed into the muscles immediately repairs them and makes the pain and stiffness go away…well if you immediately stretch the effected groups out properly after the treatment. We were having trouble keeping up with the demands of the training, and Master Flitwick arranged for us to learn how to massage and stretch the appropriate muscles out before bed each night. Then a full night’s sleep would have us ready for further training the next day.”

Harry paused and thought for a second, “I adore making Hermione’s pain and discomfort go away. I was intrigued by the proper way to massage and stretch the different muscles to return full function to them. How it could be done right, and how it could be done wrong. It gave me so much pleasure to heal her, that I approached Master Healer Pomfrey about becoming a healer myself. She questioned me and decided I could be tested. She has assigned me the four journeyman tomes for the journeyman exam. I am to learn as much as I can and take the journeyman exam at the end of the year.”

Harry then looked at Emma with a fire in his eyes. “Nobody expects me to do well enough to become an apprentice, much less a journeyman. I intend to prove them wrong! Master Flitwick says the Warrior/Healer is a very honorable profession among Duende, and will allow my apprenticeship to evolve depending on my results. I intend to make that necessary!” Harry vowed.

Dan just looked at Emma and mouthed, “Wow.” She nodded, impressed too. It seems Hermione’s ‘intended’ was a driven, disciplined, and intelligent young man. He might be worthy of her…we’ll see.

Much of the rest of the trip was light conversation with Hermione asking about family and friends in her neighbourhood. Harry just listened and absorbed the information.

They pulled up to a well to do, house. It was an elegant English Tudor home, two story, though there were windows under the roof line, so the attic may be finished as well. The size was definitely low upper-class. They pulled into an attached two car garage with an obvious work area in the double deep garage. As they got out of the garage, they walked through a glass faced walkway, into a large three season porch before entering the house. There was a pool outside which was covered, and a very respectable yard in back.

Entering the house, Harry followed Hermione up the stairs with his stuff. He was brought to a bedroom and let in. In the bedroom was a large bed, a large desk, two bookshelves, and a chest of drawers with a mirror above it. Harry dropped off his trunk and immediately started pulling out his clothes to put away and hang up as needed. Not having a great amount, Harry quickly put everything away, making sure his discipline outfit was ready for the next morning. Once done he went over to the window and with a sigh, looked out. So much was changing quickly.

A few minutes later, Hermione, after a quick knock, came in. She saw Harry standing there just looking out the window. Hermione came over and hugged him from behind. “How do you like your room?” she quietly asked.

Harry smiled and pulled her arms tighter about him leaning back to rest his head against hers. “It’s brilliant! I have never had a nice room before, Hogwarts not counting. However, it will be less brilliant if my beautiful wife isn’t in my bed when I sleep.” He admitted as he pulled her tighter around him, with some concern.

Hermione sighed as she accepted the grip and hugged him tighter, “Let’s go down for dinner and we will talk to Mum and Dad.” Harry sighed as well.

As Hermione let go and they turned to the door, Rose popped in with an obvious elf couple. “Hello fledgling. This is Tippy and Trixie. They will be your personal elves!” she exclaimed.

Tippy was wearing a butler’s uniform with the Potter crest on his right breast. Trixie was wearing a maid’s dress, also with the Potter crest on her right breast. Both uniforms looked immaculate and flawless. It was obvious the elves took pride in their uniforms.

Rose continued, “They will be joined by another elf, who will maintain this house and grounds. Call if you need anything.” And she popped away.

Harry raised his hand to stop her, but she was gone. He looked at Hermione worryingly, before looking at the two elves.

Trixie looked at Hermione with some criticism, “I will be your lady’s maid, ma’am. I be trained in make-up, and hair styling. I also be a seamstress, and can-do alterations for your clothes. She looked at Hermione critically, “When you start having babies, I am an experienced nanny elf, and know my healing and safety magic. I keep the little ones properly!” she said with a light in her eyes.

Harry and Hermione blushed at the obvious want in Trixie for them to have children.

Hermione with some defensiveness replied, “Ahhh…it isn’t appropriate for my Lord and I to mate yet, so it will be a few years before you can care for our little ones. This is a mundane household so you need to stay hidden from anyone we haven’t expressly introduced you to. OK?”

Both grinned. Tippy then said, “We can be sneaky.” And they popped away.

The parents were in the sitting room. There was a large telly in the corner, currently off. There were also two couches, 4 chairs, two coffee tables, and full bookshelves on the walls, though some of those shelves were full of video cassettes. The parents were on one of the couches.

Hermione pulled Harry into the room and pulled him down next to her on the other couch. He instinctively put his arm around her and she rested against his shoulder with a hum of happiness before sitting back up and looking at her parents. “All right you two. I know you have been holding back on questions. Go ahead now.” She said with a grin.

Dan frowned at her enthusiasm, “OK…Filius said something about being married. Did he really mean married…married?” he blurted out disbelievingly.

Hermione looked at Harry and nodded. Their rings appeared on their fingers. Hermione flashed her ring and her mother, with a gasp, came to look at it. “We are married in all ways except two very important ones. One – we haven’t been married in our church. Master Flitwick told us he promised you we would marry shortly after my 18th birthday, and I agree whole-heartedly with that plan. We also know about the stipulation I do not get pregnant until after that wedding and we also agree whole heartedly with that too. Two – we are not sexually active, and are not ready to do that yet. In the magical world loss of virginity, which is defined as penis in my vagina…or anus, is illegal until I am 16 years old. Same with Harry…receiving or entering. There is a magical spell which can verify that in a second, and it is being cast on us weekly since we sleep together.” She stated matter-of-factly.

Dan yelled, “What!” and he moved to stand, but Emma pulled him back down and shushed him. Once she was sure Dan was controlled, she turned to look at Hermione expectantly.

Hermione nodded to her and continued, “We need to sleep together because of the Potter Foible. The Potter Foible is a curse/blessing, somehow cast on the Potter Clan over 1000 years ago. It was a way to teach them humility. Since that day, a Potter will fall in love with the smartest, most driven and available, witch or wizard of their generation. They then spend their time doing everything they can, to become worthy of said witch or wizard. Once the feelings are returned, the two become inseparable. We actually feel each other’s emotional and physical state. In short, Harry feels in his bones when I am happy or unhappy and what precisely is causing it. It makes for the most marvellous massages and..” she glanced at Harry, only to have both blush, “we have wet dreams imagining what it will be like to do…more.” Not looking up at her mother for a second or two.

She then looked at her dad, and her face turned serious “I am not ready to have Harry touch my genitals, nor am I ready to touch his. This will not happen until we both are ready, and we definitely are not. Harry massages me quite thoroughly, though never my groin. Yes, he has had to massage my pecs which means around my breasts, but he is a complete gentleman about it. Harry will be giving me a massage, tonight. One or both of you should watch it, and see how it works. I don’t want you to think this is a couple of horny kids playing at doctor to just feel each other up.” She said with a frown.

Harry then continued the answer, taking over for Hermione “When we sleep together, we are in pajamas…and they stay on. We both agree sleeping is a time of cuddling and comforting. A light kiss goodnight too, but no snogging or even heavy petting. We aren’t ready for it, and honestly, I would never disrespect the two of you by doing that with your daughter in your house without your express permission. If I am to become your son-in-law, it can’t exist without trust. Period.”

Dan suddenly got up. “Harry, come with me to my office.”

Emma said, “Dan” but didn’t move as Dan just walked away.

Harry rose and followed him.

Note: Sonnet 116 by Wm Shakespeare

Chapter Text

Chapter 20

Dan led Harry to a dark panelled room with glass-fronted bookshelves behind a large desk. Also in the room were two comfortable chairs with a game table between them. He pulled a bottle of whisky down from a dry-bar on one side and two glasses. He set them down on the table and poured 2 fingers for himself and a tablespoon or so in the other glass. He looked at Harry and said, “This is the kind of conversation than begins with a drink. You are not old enough for that, but we will give you a taste so you understand the ritual involved. Understand?”

Harry nodded, “Yes Sir.”

“Call me Dan.”

Harry shook his head, “I don’t see that as appropriate for this conversation, Sir.”

Dan just gave a pained smile and lifted his glass to Harry. Harry lifted his own glass. Dan toasted, “To Granger women, the best in the world.” Harry smiled and nodded clinking the glass and downing the swallow. It tasted like nothing he had tasted before and burned slightly going down. Dan also took a large sip and they both set their glasses down.

Dan then asked, “What are your intentions with my daughter?”

Harry smiled and his eyes went unfocused, as he stared off into the distance. “To finish growing up with her at my side. To marry her, and beget many children upon her. To live happy and free with her, raising our children to be strong, decisive, disciplined, and happy.” He then looked back to Dan and grinned, “To have athletic jungle sex with her, celebrating the births of each of our grandchildren. To die in her arms having given her the life she deserves and all the happiness possible. That should cover it.”

Dan picked up his glass and downed the rest with a sharp exhale. He then looked at Harry and said, “Wow…you don’t disappoint. I assume that as Earl Potter, you have resources.”

Harry grimaced, “Only because my family has been killed off during the last two wizard wars. All the family funds have come back to me. Yes, I am quite rich, but I have no intention of spending that money except for education or opportunities. It is blood money, and will only be used as necessary. I will be a successful Healer. My cousin was raised with no wants and turned out to be a spoilt, useless, undisciplined bully. My children will never see the money before they have earned their own. Same with me.”

Dan replied, “And if Hermione becomes pregnant before achieving her dreams?”

Harry replied, “I would share that burden and assist in every way I could. In that situation, the family money would be spent on ways to assist us with the children, so we both can continue our dreams. That would be an acceptable use of the money, making sure we can be successful parents while allowing us to still achieve all our dreams…including a family. Know this, your daughter has promised me many children, and I have promised full and total support in her career dreams. I suspect we both will end up compromising a bit, but neither of us will give up the dreams for the other. Neither of us could stand it. Remember, we feel each other’s emotions. A future where Hermione is disappointed in me, or worse, has lost her trust in me, fuels my nightmares. I would do anything to keep that from happening.”

Dan tried one last thing, “These are pretty words. A boy will say anything to get his dick wet.”

Harry grimaced, “Normally I would agree, and regularly dream of Hermione providing that service for me. However, I am unable to lie to her. I feel her physical pleasure, and her physical pain. I feel her emotional pleasure and emotional pain. I am not looking forward to rupturing her hymen as I will feel her emotional and physical distress then too. She is actually going to have to force me to do it, or maybe we will just rupture it ahead of time before we have sex to remove it from the equation. I haven’t discussed that with her. Some witches think that piece of tissue has meaning. I do not, but it’s her body so we will see what she says. I’m rambling…sorry. Let’s cut the crap.”

Harry stood up and released his magic. Dan saw Harry’s eyes suddenly burn with a green fire, and felt…something vast, permeate his body. Suddenly, the door slammed open and Hermione was there yelling “Harry!”

Harry popped his wand and intoned, “I, Harold Jameson Potter, Troll-killer, the Earl Potter, swear on my Magic and my life, that everything I have told Daniel and Emma Granger this evening is true to the best of my understanding. So mote It!” and there was a flash of light from his wand and his eyes.

Hermione came over with a cry. “Harry! How could you do that! Oaths are dangerous!”

Harry looked in Hermione’s eyes, “Your father needed to believe that I spoke the truth. He needs to understand that in a world of darkness and cold, you are my sun just as Shakespeare described Juliet. My light, my warmth, my life. Without you the world is a dead lifeless husk of no value to me. He needs to understand that I am the father of his grandchildren, the husband of his daughter, the son I hope he comes to appreciate. I need him to accept me, Mine. It was worth it.”

She turned on her father with fury, “Well?! Was it worth it?” yelling in his face.

Dan never saw this side of his daughter. The tigress defending her mate and future family. It was impressive, and bittersweet. It meant he had lost his little girl. A boy had taken her away, and long before it should have happened.

Hermione almost able to read his mind, flipped on a dime. Her face softened, as she hugged him, “Oh daddy. You didn’t lose me, you gained a son. The quicker you realize that, the happier you will be.” She then let go to look in his eyes, “Just know, if you don’t accept my Harry as your son, that…could cause you to lose me, so don’t do it!” she sternly ordered.

Emma had listened from the door. She came in, and went to Harry, “Welcome home, son.” She said with a gentle smile.

Harry with sudden tears in his eyes threw his arms around her, and whispered, “Thanks Mum.”

Emma put her arms around him and hugged him back, her heart breaking at the desperation in Harry’s voice.

Soon, they both felt the larger arms of Dan around both of them. “Yes…welcome home son. I accept your suit for my daughter. I expect you and your children to call me Pop.”

Harry now with tears flowing and a tremor in his voice, “Thanks Pop. You won’t regret this!”

Dan just growled, "If I do, they won't find the body."

Emma rolled her eyes, and just hugged Harry tighter.

Hermione stood there watching Harry with their parents. Tears of her own, were cascading down her face. She was so happy, she could burst.

Knowing their daughter’s love for a good curry, the parents had arranged for Indian food to be delivered. Hermione liked Thai, but that was likely too hot for a neophyte, and they could always get it later, if Harry was up for it.

Harry wasn’t sure he liked it at first, being so different to what he was used to. However, the milder spiced curry was rapidly growing on him. During dinner, Dan asked what sports Harry played. Hermione then gushed, “Harry is the youngest seeker in a century! He has already played on the varsity team and was so fast catching the snitch it ended the game before it actually began! 3 minutes! You should have seen him! They call him Hawk because he was on the snitch like a Cooper’s Hawk and wouldn’t give up. It was marvellous!”

Dan listened and then laughed. “I’m sorry princess, but while I recognized most of those words, the order in which you placed them, has me completely baffled. How could a team sport be ended so soon? It makes no sense!” he complained.

Harry laughed loudly. “You aren’t wrong, Pop! Much of wizarding society seems nonsensical, with Quidditch at the top of the list. The other players hadn’t even started playing and I ended the game! Evidently, I have some raw ability, so accomplished something which hadn’t happened before. I don’t know why. You just go and catch the snitch. Simple.”

Hermione snorted, “Yeah, chase a hummingbird sized object that moves like one at over 120kph, and catch it in the air, while it dodges. Simple!”

Dan asked with wonder in his eyes, “really, princess?”

Hermione exclaimed, “Yes! Really!”

Dan sighed, “I would love to see that.” He said with obvious wonder.

They then spent the evening talking about different things. Harry reminded them about training at 5am every morning and 3pm every evening. Flitwick would arrive via Floo in their fireplace. Emma exclaimed, “Right! That’s the reason we keep the fireplace on. Luckily it is gas so not a problem.”

Harry also told about the two meetings he had scheduled this week. Both were before Yule and wouldn’t interfere with celebrations. Harry told them he was arranging magical nobility training for Hermione and himself. Comportment, deportment, negotiation, and dance were to be included. Emma and Dan were suitably impressed, having had Hermione in such classes when younger, but had to halt them when she was preparing for Hogwarts.

Soon it was time for bed, and they all went upstairs to show their parents, how the massages were done. Harry had Hermione lay face down with a towel over her massage knickers. Harry started from her neck and worked down her arms and back. As he went, he named each muscle group, showed any tender-points from its origin to its insertion. Mentioned appropriate range of motion, and how it was currently reduced. He then massaged the ointment into the muscle area, and stretched the muscle until it was back to full range of motion without pain. He did all the muscles individually or in groups when necessary, working from the head down to the lower back, then up from the feet to the buttocks. As Harry continued to clinically describe exactly what he was doing and how he was doing it, both Dan and Emma found themselves surprised to see him deep massaging their daughter's bottom, while Hermione groaned appreciatively. Harry had casually moved the towel aside and continued working. He was being completely professional, despite the groans of pleasure which occasionally escaped Hermione’s mouth.

Harry then had Hermione turn over and just dropped the towel over her chest. He then worked up the arms and the neck before yanking the towel off her chest and continuing with the shoulder girdle. Harry was able to show that the anterior shoulder muscles were under the breasts and he just moved them out of the way to get at the muscles. His ignoring her breasts while he explained the necessary treatment of pectoralis minor and major impressed Emma, and made Dan forget he was looking at his daughter’s developing breasts.

Once complete he dropped the towel back on her breasts and just continued down her body. He did have a problem when he found out Hermione pulled an adductor groin muscle. Harry frowned, “OK Hermione. This is a new one for you. I need to get to the origin of that right adductor group. Unfortunately, that is on the inside of your thigh, right at your groin. I need you to cover your genitals, and shift them as much as you can, to the left to get them out of my way.”

Hermione blushed slightly, and said, “Yes Harry.” as she reached down with her left hand and tried to pull things aside. She grabbed herself through her bikini. As she pulled, she ended up pulling her bikini off, and exposing her labia to everyone.

Harry tried to stay professional at the sudden view of Hermione’s widely exposed bits, but the blush on his face, ruined that. Still, he kept it together as he calmly corrected her, “No Hermione, reach under your bikini so you can get a proper hold…also, you need to grab the labia majora on your right side, and pull it to the left too.”

Hermione now blushing furiously, didn’t say anything as she reached under her suit and with a firm grip, shifted everything as far left as she could.

Harry nodded, still blushing, “Good…keep holding it like that.” Harry then carefully massaged along the thigh/perineal juncture and balmed the adductor origin sites.

Hermione squeaked at Harry’s fingers being right ‘there’, but didn’t move. He then stretched her leg into the splits getting back full ROM. Hermione just groaned as he stretched the muscles back out. He then replaced the leg and huffed, “That was closer than I want to get to your perineum, for now Hermione, so please avoid pulling any more groin muscles.” He lightly admonished with a smile.

Hermione smiled back and blushed again, “Yes, your fingers where much closer to my vagina, then I am comfortable with…well, for now.” She then looked in his eyes as she released her genitals and settled them back under her massage knickers, slightly flashing everyone again. Dan noticed Harry’s eyes never targeted on the flash of the forbidden, as a normal boy would have.

Hermione continued, “Harry, I trust you, and after watching healer Potter treat his patient, I think my parents trust you now too.”

Dan shrugged, “I have no complaints. I certainly couldn’t have helped having my hands ‘slip’ when I was your age, playing doctor. You, on the other hand, were as professional and considerate of a patient’s modesty, as I have ever seen. You are going to make an excellent doctor, Harry. Good work son!” He then put his hand on Harry’s shoulder, gave it a squeeze and left. Harry looked at Emma.

Emma shook her head with a smile, “While I trust you to be a healer, Harry. My daughter is like me. I will watch for any liberties she will likely take with your equipment.”

Hermione screeched, “Mum!”

Harry just smirked, “Well if she gets uppity, I will just have to spank the naughty girl.”

Hermione, sitting up huffed, “As if!” as she crossed her arms under her breasts in irritation.

Harry said, “Hey! You’re the one who said I needed to spank you when necessary! I figure the safest time to learn is under your mother’s supervision!” he argued.

Hermione just pulled the towel over her face, “Morgana, my fiancé wants to have my mother, teach him how to spank me!” she said through the towel, making Emma laugh lightly.

After the laugh, Emma said "That was funny, but there won't be any spanking done by either of you...certainly not for a few years. If such is necessary, your father and I, with administer any appropriate discipline. I do hope it doesn't come up. OK?"

Harry and Hermione sheepishly nodded their heads in agreement.

Harry then took off his robe and lay down on his front. Hermione stated, "His scars from the abuse have finally vanished. It was supposed to take 2 months, but took almost four. They were that bad. The only one left is on his brow and that one continues to reduce so I have hope it will be gone in the next year." Emma nodded. Hermione then did a respectable job massaging Harry, using their connection to know what to do where, even if she couldn’t explain it the way Harry could. Harry would tell her how to stretch the muscle if she wasn't sure, but after doing it nightly, Hermione had become adept at understanding the muscle groups, too. Hermione grinned at the groan she got from Harry when she deep massaged his gluts. She then sharply slapped his bottom and told him “Roll over!”

Harry rolled over and she started massaging his front. At this point Emma diffidently said, “Um…I don’t want to embarrass anybody, but…”

Hermione snarked, “Why isn’t Harry hard and saluting us, with his witch’s tits in his face, and her hands doing unspeakable things to his body?” she said with a teasing lilt in her voice.

Harry groaned and covered his face.

“Well…yes.” Emma admitted with a smile.

Hermione with another smirk, “We both are wearing special underwear which keeps us from getting aroused. Believe me, after that last massage I would have been beyond damp myself. I do occasionally masturbate, but don’t have anywhere near the need Harry has, to let off some pressure.”

Emma giggled, “Do you watch each other masturbate?” she asked casually.

Harry just groaned again, keeping his hands over his face.

Hermione replied, “I am still figuring things out, so no. Harry is a 14-year-old boy in the middle of puberty, so I have watched him pop himself off a couple of times. We weren’t going to do it until it was mutual, but with him getting erect when the wind changes direction, it became important to me to experience it with him before he accidentally shared it with another witch.”

She noticed the concerned look on Emma’s face, “Not on purpose, but at his age a big breasted 20-year-old would be too much stimuli to keep himself from reacting, and I didn’t want to be jealous.”

Emma looked confused, "How would that come up? Women don't like boys ogling them, especially since many get handsy, and it can be frightening." She said with a look.

Hermione replied, as she continued to massage Harry "The quidditch team has a communal shower. So the older girls enjoy stripping off in front of Harry and eliciting a reaction. I made a deal with the captain, and I shower with Harry to keep them at their distance." She said matter-of-fact.

Emma grinned, "Oh, I bet that went over well! Still, I would have done something similar to stake my claim." Emma then looked doubtful, “I get it would be fun as an older girl to get a younger teammate to get hard or pop off, but Is that really more of a problem? Most girls prefer older men, so why would a more mature witch want Harry?”

Hermione continued her massage while Harry said nothing. He kept his eyes closed, pretending to be asleep, and ignore their conversation.

“Harry is famous, powerful, and rich, and that’s without considering this beautiful body in front of us. A couple of witches have already offered to suck him off. Fortunately, he just runs back to me. No, I haven’t provided that service yet. Harry has made it very clear, that while he wants me to do it, he doesn't want me to attempt it until I am ready…and I’m not ready.” She said looking seriously at her mother. She then turned back to Harry and continued with her massage, “It’s one reason I trust him so much. If I am nervous or put off by something, it turns him off too. He not selfish enough, to force me to do something he may enjoy, if I won't enjoy doing it, too. He wants me, but only when I will find it pleasurable to do it for him…and I’m not there, yet.” She admitted.

Emma looked at the two of them and shifted back a bit. She then exclaimed, “All right you two. What’s going on? There is no way kids your age should be able to have this conversation with me!”

Chapter Text

Chapter 21

Harry sat up as Hermione stopped her massage. He looked at her, and smirked, “Told you.”

Hermione glanced at Harry, slightly reproachfully, before looking back at her mother. “We practiced these talks. We knew that the two of you already knew everything, so it wasn’t like we were admitting something you didn’t yet know.” She calmly admitted.

Emma nodded, “And your end goal?” she asked carefully.

Harry replied consolingly, “I wasn’t kidding when I told Pop we will not do anything in bed other than cuddle and light kisses. Not even snogging or heavy petting. I will not start my relationship with my new parents by breaking their trust! However, we need to sleep together. Our end goal is your understanding, and acceptance that we sleep in each other’s arms…while wearing pajamas, which stay on.”

Harry then declared, “Even if we become inclined to advance things, it will not happen in your house without your express permission. I will not violate your trust. Having a Mum and Dad…Hermione’s Mum and Dad, treat me as a son is too important to the two of us, to blow it so foolishly!” he exclaimed.

Emma with a soft cry just pulled Harry into a hug. “Oh Harry! I am already developing feelings for you. At this rate, don’t be surprised if I start loving you as my son, by the end of the holidays. Even if I get cross with you or punish you, don’t think it makes me love you less. Teens your age do stupid things. Trust me! I remember those teenage years and the fact the two of you are willing to work with us, instead of considering us, ‘stupidly old-fashioned’ is a dream.” She said with a sad smile.

She thought for a few seconds, “I’m not comfortable with you in Hermione’s room. I want her to have a safe space away from you. However, if she enters your bed, we won’t say anything…unless we come to believe you have broken your word, and are doing things you promised you would not. Then you will be punished, with separation a definite component of it. Deal?”

Harry hugged her back “Deal!” and kept hugging her.

At this point Dan came back and looked at Emma, “So, did you find out what’s going on?” he asked, only slightly sarcastically.

Emma looked at him and decisively stated, “Harry is not allowed in Hermione’s room. That is her safe zone away from him…whether she chooses to use it or not. He of course, has the right to ask Hermione to leave his room, and she will immediately do that too, if requested. However, if she comes to his bed, and he welcomes it, she is allowed to sleep there. Harry has promised their relationship under our roof is currently maxed out on light kisses and cuddling. Not even snogging or heavy petting, yet. They both will come to us in the future, and request an upgrade before anything more happens in our house.” She calmly explained.

Emma glanced at Hermione before looking at Dan and continuing, “Hermione isn’t yet to the point of reliable masturbation, though she is appropriately experimenting for her age. Harry is at the stage where he needs to accomplish it, multiple times a day, and Hermione has witnessed it conclude a few times. Neither will currently touch each other’s genitals. Either during masturbation, or not.”

Both Harry and Hermione were blushing furiously listening to Mum diagram their sex lives, but stood their ground.

Dan looked over at Harry, noticing nothing was sticking out, and back up at Emma with a raised eyebrow. She smirked, “Special underwear purchased by Hermione which keeps them from getting aroused. There evidently was a problem during the massages, without it.”

Harry just looked at her. “Now I see where Hermione gets her deductive abilities. Quite a few points mentioned were not expressly stated by either of us.” He said with admiration.

Emma shrugged, “Body language, and teenagers instinctively assuming what they discover is new. Its rather cute, but your father and I walked this road long before you, and recognize the signs.”

She looked at her watch, “It’s almost 10pm. I want both of you in pajamas and in bed by 10. We will tuck you in, before going to bed ourselves. We want to watch you tomorrow morning, and wish to welcome Master Flitwick. We will see you before 5am tomorrow. Get ready.” And she left, pushing Hermione back to her room to change.

A few minutes later, Harry was changed for bed, and feeling ecstatic. They had convinced her parents to let them sleep together, even if provisionally. Harry quickly drank his potions. Only 4 were now refilling, but those may continue for a while. Soon Hermione in pajamas came in and hugged Harry. Harry on being hugged, immediately exclaimed, “Merlin! I will be back,” and he ran to the bathroom with his hand covering his hard penis.

Emma watched him race to the bathroom obviously trying to hide an erection. He went in and slammed the door before exclaiming fairly quickly. She smiled in sympathy. For a boy to go through puberty with a girl in his bed would be rough! Heck, it would soon be rough on Hermione too! ’What have we gotten ourselves into? Letting my daughter sleep with the boy who will definitely be learning all the different sex acts with her over time? This magic world sure was different! On the other hand, knowing and raising the boy who experiments with my daughter does have definite advantages. It’s not like she won’t do it, with somebody else, if not with him!’

Dan came over to Emma, and looked around “Where’s Harry?”

Emma said sympathetically, “Taking care of a problem,” with a knowing look at Dan.

Dan thought for a second, “Oh! Well good, otherwise he won’t get any sleep, and I don’t want him doing it in bed with her!” He then went over to Hermione and kissed her on the forehead. “This happen often?” he asked Hermione.

She answered with a grin, “Every night! After that underwear comes off, he usually needs to let off pressure two to three times before he can cuddle me comfortably, and not immediately get hard again.” She glared at her dad in irritation, “He is a gentleman and always tries to go elsewhere to get it done. Sometimes he doesn’t make it in time,” her grin grew as she replied impishly, “It makes me feel sexy, to have that effect on him,” she bashfully admitted.

Emma warned, “It won’t be long before you have a similar reaction to him, dear. Just you wait.”

Hermione blushed, “I know Mum. I’m kinda counting on it. I don’t like that he’s not affecting me, as much as I affect him.” She said it looking down, with a slight tremor in her voice.

Emma assured her, “Don’t worry Hermione, it will happen. Just don’t rush things dear, and talk to me. I have a very healthy sex life with your father. There is little chance you want to do something that I haven’t already successfully done…multiple times.” She then grinned, “If you do manage to figure out something I haven’t done, we will talk about why I didn’t do it, and how you should go about learning to do it safely…if you still want to.”

Hermione looked at her, “You won’t prevent me?” she said with the look of children expecting a trap and not believing what they are hearing.

Emma sat down on the side of the bed, “I may want to, but you are a young woman now, and have your man. If you ask the question like a responsible adult, I will treat you as such, and give you my best explanation, one woman to another.” She looked at Hermione’s footie pink bowed pajamas with another grin, “I will ignore you are my little girl in her pink pajamas.”

Hermione groaned, “MUUUM!” She then looked at Emma, “About that.” She said seriously.

Emma put her hand on Hermione’s arm, “You want some proper nightwear to look and feel sexy for your man.”

Hermione blushed and nodded.

Emma grinned, “We will take care of it.” She assured her quietly.

At this time Harry came back in much slower than he left. He wasn’t holding his groin anymore and hiding an erection, so must have successfully delt with the problem. Without saying a word, he went to the bed and climbed in pulling Hermione against him. Hermione went with it, and rolled over, so her body was resting partly over his with her head on his chest. Hermione just sighed and hugged him to her too. Harry had such a smile of contentment, it was precious.

Emma then came forward and kissed Hermione, “Goodnight, Honey,” she then kissed Harry on the forehead, “Goodnight, Son.”

Harry reached up and pulled her into a hug, “Goodnight, Mum!”

Emma was slightly surprised at him pulling her in, but just smiled sadly at thinking about what his childhood had denied him.

Dan then came forward, “Goodnight, Son” and kissed him on the forehead too.

Harry glanced up at him and smiled, “Night, Pop. See you in the morning.” And he hugged Hermione tighter, before closing his eyes. He was almost asleep immediately. ’We did it!’ he thought before drifting away.

Harry felt someone kissing him on the lips and stroking his chest, through his pajamas. He opened his eyes.

Hermione was sitting up, and looking in his eyes with want. She reached down and kissed him again. Her kiss was different than previous kisses…a bit aggressive.

Harry’s breath caught in his throat, and his dick went from semi-hard to full throttle. Hermione was kissing him with obvious lust and the promise of things they shouldn’t be doing yet. Harry pulled her down into for a big hug, “Good morning, Mine! I slept great, how about you?” he said, trying to shift his hips away so his erection wasn’t digging into Hermione, whose thigh was suspiciously rubbing against it.

Hermione noticed him pull away, and her hand drifted down his chest, before lightly brushing over the bump in his pajamas. “I slept fine, but I so want to be naughty. Being in a boy's bed in my house, especially when you wake up with that,” and she glanced down to the large tent in his pyjamas, “it's driving me crazy.”

Harry frowned at her, “So you then ‘accidentally’ touch my penis? Are you trying to get me to spank you?” and he looked suddenly afraid, “Or worse, have our parents separate us?” Harry looked frustrated and leaped out of bed, “and that’s my cue!” as he raced to the bathroom to deal with a full bladder…among other concerns.

Hermione huffed at Harry bolting, well time to get ready for class. She wasn’t sure if Master would be gentle or rough, in front of her parents, but she had no intention of giving him an easy reason to sting her today. By the time she was dressed, her hair in its typical military braid, Harry came racing back and quickly dressed himself.

They raced down to the Family room with the large fireplace. Exactly at 5am Flitwick stepped out in his workout uniform. Dan and Emma were in robes at the stairs and saw all three wearing matching military boots, pants, jackets, T-shirts, and caps. They saw their two uniformed children, snap to attention as Flitwick landed and stood up straight, holding a pile of similar clothes.

“Greetings apprentices. Here are two more sets of uniforms. You don’t have elves doing laundry continuously, so this will allow you to have relatively clean uniforms. I would suggest using a uniform for magical discipline where you may get sweaty, and then also use it for physical discipline the next morning, where you will definitely get sweaty. That would allow you to do laundry every two to three days.” He then saw the Grangers over at the stairs, and nodded to them as he set the pile of clothes down.

Flitwick then barked, “Outside now!” and all three raced out the back door into the yard. There was an inch of snow, but none of them seemed to notice or care. By the time the Grangers were at the door they saw all three of them using a jump rope with obvious weights on their limbs. The kids were doing fine, but obviously still learning how to speed jump. Flitwick was hopping there with three jump/sec humming along. All were jumping at speed for over ten minutes when Hermione started flagging.

Without missing a beat, the grangers saw a spark shoot from Flitwick, arc around and smack into her bottom. It obviously hurt Hermione because she “Yelped,” and lost her rhythm. She immediately restarted and was back up to speed where she had been before slowing. Another ten minutes and they were doing push-ups, sit-ups, and burpees. Dan was impressed because Hermione actually did 33 push-ups, before she collapsed. Impressive for her age. Harry did the full 100 with Flitwick.

Once done they all jumped up, and snapped to attention. Flitwick then had them put on gloves and seemed to cast something on their boots too. They both took off their caps, showing Hermione’s hair in a complicated braid tying her hair close to her scalp. The two then started kick boxing and they weren’t holding back. Hermione dodged and blocked a series of punches and kicks from Harry, before she caught him with a fierce uppercut. As he stumbled back, she came forward and did an ankle trip dropping him to the ground. She fell on top of him and scrambled, getting an arm lock. Harry tapped out with a grin. Hermione was grinning too.

The next bout, Harry swept her, and as she fell, caught her jaw with a clean side kick snapping her head back. He jumped on top of her and immediately had her in a strangle hold where she tapped out. She was shaking her head at Harry with a grin, obviously unhurt.

They went on like this for thirty minutes of fighting. Again about 20 minutes in, Hermione was flagging and caught a sting in her bottom which quickly got her back to speed. Dan could see tears in her eyes, but she grimaced and fought on. He wasn’t sure he liked it, but his daughter was working very hard and not complaining, so he let it go for now.

“Halt! Good job both of you.” He turned to Hermione, “You are doing very good Hermione. Remember, Harry was worked hard as a slave. He is used to this level of effort. You are improving at an appropriate rate. Be proud!” Hermione smiled despite the tears and nodded enthusiastically.

Flitwick then tossed staffs to the two of them, and they immediately came on guard. “Duel 5 strikes, fight!” Hermione came hard and caught Harry on a hand, breaking his concentration. She immediately knocked the staff to the side and smacked his head before swinging to his groin, and nearly catching him there too. Harry rolled away and was able to spear her in the belly driving her back, so he could recover. Hermione grinned viciously, and Harry nodded in admiration. Harry then came hard with a series of blows which Hermione had trouble parrying until he caught her thigh and snapped up to catch her elbow too. Hermione circled away and Harry followed up to a strike to her back while she reverse speared him in the belly, trying to drive him back. Harry came on strong powering through the spear, but Hermione must have expected it because she rolled under him and speared him in the face for the fifth hit. “Halt Hermione is Victor 5 to 4. Attention!”

Both jumped up and came to attention, fighting grins.

“Nicely done! Your first victory Hermione! OK, we will spend the rest of the time working on strike/counter-strike with a partner. Begin!” he ordered.

They stood in range and Harry lashed out with a strike, which Hermione would parry then counter, causing Harry to parry and counter himself. They had obviously done this before because their exchanges were anywhere from three to seven before someone missed a parry and they started again.

Dan was watching his daughter learn self-control through martial arts, with a definite military level of discipline. He couldn’t complain as she was doing very well. Eventually the training was done, and Flitwick called, Halt! Go shower and balm! Dismissed!”

Both kids yelled “Sir!” and ran into the house.

Flitwick watched them leave with obvious satisfaction, and went over to the parents. “What do you think?” he asked, looking at the parents shrewdly.

Dan looked at Flitwick. It was easy to see he was a warrior, now that he ignored the guy was 4 feet tall. “What are you goals with the military discipline, you are inflicting on our children?”

Flitwick smiled at Harry being included in the discussion. “Other than the obvious military skill set, I want to train their Strength, Endurance, Agility, Control, Confidence, Tactical Awareness, Self-discipline, and Team Work. Once they have the necessary skills, they will work together against me. By the time I am done with them, they will have earned their masteries in Dueling, Charms, DADA, possibly Runes and I fully expect Harry to be working up the healing ranks to Mastery for that as well. Hermione is likely to either go enchanting or spell creation, though with her brilliance, she could follow her husband into healing, or any of another dozen high-skill careers.”

Emma asked, “So the military slant is the easiest way to get their discipline and self-control to the levels needed because of their magic?”

Flitwick nodded, “Yes, but self-defence is also necessary, as our world isn’t safe. Harry having already earned the name Troll-Killer comes to mind. There are wizards and witches who will hate her. She is a first-gen who has bagged the wizard of their generation. Earl Potter is a very old and respected line. The only reason she has been safe, so far, is the Potter Foible is famous, and it is actually in the law books that a Potter can kill for his mate without being charged. That’s how old and famous the Potter Foible is. Considering he already took out a Troll, the other students who may wish to cause trouble, are leery about just what he can and will do.”

Flitwick then looked seriously in their eyes, “However, Hermione was a soft target and both of them asked me to enhance my training to change that. I had already given then enough training to control their magic, at least rudimentarily. Neither of them were satisfied with that, and continuously pushed for more. Even when I ramped up my punishments, by stinging their bottoms for lesser failures, they just worked harder. I was impressed enough to declare them my apprentices. I am honor bound now, and obligated to train this world’s next Merlin and Morgana. It will be quite the accomplishment for all of us!” he crowed.

Dan asked unbelievingly, “Are they really that good?”

Flitwick snorted as he shook his head, “Not even close! However, they have the potential, and if they work hard over the next twenty years, can be.”

Flitwick then more calmly said, “Remind them Lady Malfoy will be here to assess their suitability as students for her. She is expected at noon. Harry has requested she teach them how to be Earl and Countess Potter as well as members of house Black. Narcissa was trained harshly and I expect her to be generous with sting hexes too, as that was how she was trained.”

He looked at the two carefully, “It is good my apprentices are used to such discipline. She will be rough, but her training will leave them able to navigate the world of the nobility with nothing to shame them. I will be back at 3pm for magic discipline. To make up for yesterday we will be working 5 hours. They are aware. Good bye.” And Flitwick Floo’d away.

Dan huffed and hung his head. Emma looked at him, obviously expecting a statement or a question. Finally, Dan said, “I am…having trouble processing everything. Hermione was punished, and not-gently in front of us, but obviously is used to it. She is thriving under the discipline…which means my father was right, and that does irritate me as he said I was coddling my daughter. The 60s did no one a favor with that live-free bullshit. I can already tell that a few years from now, these two will be something spectacular. Levels above their peers, deeply in love, while trained to work well with each other.”

Emma said, “But Merlin and Morgana? Seriously?”

Dan replied with a shudder, “When Harry released his power to oath himself, I felt it. It was vast…honestly it felt like the power I would expect from something akin to a Greek God. Much much more than Flitwick. Supposedly Hermione’s is second only to him. Morgana indeed to his Merlin. I don’t know Emma, because everyone dances around just how much power they have. For all we know, we are talking about city destroying, or sinking England into the ocean level power. The discipline they are learning may be essential to teaching these neophyte demigods how to control themselves.”

Emma shook her head, “I don’t know about that. What I do know is that boy, desperately wants a father and a mother. Now I know Filius is already something of a father to the two of them, but that doesn’t mean Harry wouldn’t love to have his wife’s father, declare him son too. Filius can’t teach him how to be a good husband, as well as a father working alongside a mother. Harry is trying to give those roles to you. If you are as smart as I know you are, you will stop being jealous of him claiming your daughter, and just claim him as the son you always wanted. He is still young enough for you to guide him through puberty. Despite their apparent maturity…which was a show for our benefit if you were paying attention, they both have a serious amount of growing left to do. We can help with that, despite all the tutors their importance and potential, are collecting.”

Dan listened carefully to Emma. He always did, as her intelligence and insight were…exceptional. He nodded, “I will try.” He then grimaced. “But a boy is already sleeping with my daughter!”

Emma just kissed him and smirked, “Just remember he isn’t trying to notch his belt. It is very clear, Hermione isn’t a stepping stone, but his end-game.” She paused a second and grinned impishly, “He looks at her the way you look at me.”

He sighed, “I know. That both relieves and concerns me.” while she kissed him again.

Shortly, Harry and Hermione came thundering down for breakfast, and just stood there looking in the kitchen. Emma and Dan came over to see what they were looking at. In the kitchen was a 3-foot floppy eared humanoid creature wearing a butler’s uniform with a kitchen apron over it. On his head was a white chef’s hat. There were pots bubbling on the stove that he would almost teleport over to and stir, before he was back in front of a butcher’s block and preparing other ingredients. Everything smelled absolutely wonderful.

When the four were there looking at him he called out, “Breakfast be ready in 20 minutes! I be Flambe, your House-elf! I do the cooking, cleaning and gardening! No go sit down at table! Fresh squeezed orange juice, and tea await you!”

The four couldn’t help but glance in the dining room and saw it was set for a state breakfast. Everything was gorgeous, with the white cloths never whiter and the silverware actually gleaming and fresh polished.

Emma looked at Hermione who had an open-mouth too. “So you didn’t do this.” She accused.

Hermione looking guilty, “I…didn’t mean to!” She started babbling, “I just wanted to find out if the Potters had House Elves in truth, then I wanted to make sure they were fine. We bonded them, and the First Elf Rose assigned Trixie to be my lady’s maid, Tippy to be Harry’s personal elf and another to run this house.”

From the kitchen, “I be Flambe your House Elf!” they heard enthusiastically from the kitchen.

Hermione winced at this and Harry was grinning at her. She noticed and glared at him, “This is your fault!” she accused glaring at Harry.

Harry looked at her and shook his head, “Oh no! Don’t pin this on me! I was perfectly fine living in ignorance; you are the one who had to know the status of our elves!”

Hermione kept glaring at him.

Dan with an exasperated frown, “What is a House Elf!” he demanded.

Flambe appeared next to them and with a bow, “I be your House Elf! I live here with my family. I cook. I clean. I garden. I keep everything perfect so you be happy. Then I be happy!” he enthused, then he popped away to keep cooking.

“This isn’t a magical village. If someone saw something.” Dan said looking worriedly at Emma.

Flambe appeared next to them again. He suddenly looked like an old gardener, then like a mature human chef, and finally like a distinguished butler. “Don’t worry! Flambe sneaky. Nobody see anything they shouldn’t!”

Emma looked at him, “And exactly where are you staying?”

Flambe looked worried, “I sleep in back of pantry like all good cooks! I stay with my kitchen!” He then blushed, “Besides Tippy and Trixie recently joined and having lots of happy feel good times…all the time. I not disturb them in help room!” and he looked scared before he popped away again.

Dan looked at Emma, “We have a ‘help’ room?”

Emma looked back with a frown, “You know this is a two-hundred-year-old home? Yes, it has a small servant’s room in back. We were using it for storage.”

Dan looked abashed, “Oh. Well, OK then.” He turned to Hermione, and quietly asked, “So…what is a house elf?”

Hermione replied, “A race of beings who live symbiotically with wizard-kind. They take our magic and derive happiness from using our magic to please us. They do this by cooking, cleaning, and caring for us. I understand this has been the relationship for over two thousand years…at least according to Harry’s Duende account manager. Harry being Earl Potter has a whole clan of house elves. We recently bonded to them and they are enthusiastically making up for lost time…since they had no way to serve for the last 14 years, not knowing where Harry was.”

Emma started shaking her head, “I don’t know…”

And suddenly three elves were standing in front of her with sailor-moon eyes full of tears. Trixie the female sobbed, “Please don’t send us away! We be good elves! We loyal to the Potters. We love the Potters!” She looked at Harry, “My mother Tulip was your nanny, Lord Potter! Your mother sent her away to protect her, and she couldn’t disobey. Then when your mother died, she tried to return and get you, but Whiskers hurt her and kept her from you. My mother died trying to get to you! We sorry we failed to protect you!” she sobbed out.

Hermione jumped forward and hugged her, “No one is being sent away Trixie! I look forward to you watching over my babies…but I’m not having them for a few years, so stop asking!”

Trixie looked at her, “Really? You won’t send us away?” She looked fearfully at Emma.

Emma sighed, “No. No one is being sent away…but you will stop pressing my daughter to get pregnant! I don’t want her pregnant until she is at least 18 and bonded. Understand Trixie?”

Trixie nodded her head up and down. “Yes, Lady Potter’s mother! I can’t disobey my Lady, but I stop pressing her to make babies too soon!”

Flambe was fidgeting in place and looking at them like a toddler who needed to use the bathroom and had been told to hold it.

Emma huffed, “What…Flambe?”

The other two elves glared at Flambe, but he looked at Emma. “Breakfast is ready. Please sit down?” he quietly begged.

Dan just started laughing. “OK Flambe. Far be it for us to waste a good breakfast. All three of you can stay…though we will be discussing exactly what you will and will not be doing. Clear?”

The two elves bowed while Trixie curtseyed, “Yes Lady Potter’s father.”

He snorted, “Call me Dan.”

All three said, “Yes Master Dan.” And popped away.

Everyone went and sat down for breakfast. Dan looked at Hermione, who lacked the signs of recent physical chastisement, which was not gentle “Hermione…how are you sitting so comfortably? It looked like Master Flitwick tagged your bottom fairly severely…twice.”

Hermione flushed in embarrassment, but responded upbeat, “Yeah, I still have trouble with endurance, though I am improving! Anyway, unless it is a specific punishment duel…which really hurts by the way, we are allowed to balm our bottoms immediately after training…instead of being forced to wait for bedtime. The balm heals the sting damage like it never happened. Still really hurts during the exercise, but doesn’t ruin the rest of your day. He has already warned us that when we are older, we may be disallowed from balming for the week if the infraction is severe enough,” and Hermione shuddered at the idea before pushing the thought aside, and smiling when Emma took a bite of a croissant and just groaned at the wonderful taste.

Emma looked at Dan, “Don’t do anything to make Flambe leave. I want to find out what he’s cooking for Dinner.”

Dan grinned at her, “Yes Dear.”

Emma reminded everyone, “Lady Malfoy is expected to floo in at noon.”

Hermione made a face and Harry said, “Hey! Draco said she is the best. A harsh task mistress…well by Draco’s standards, but he says no one will be able to question our place in pure-blood society if we are properly trained by a Black.”

Emma than with a puzzled look on her face, asked “I thought she was Baroness Malfoy.”

“She is, but she is a daughter of house Black. Since I am a Black, as my grandmother Dorea was a Black, she evidently decided it was necessary for me to show the training and discipline of the Black. The Black are a notoriously famous ancient military house of England. Conservative and steadfast, as old as the Potters. It is the reason I requested her to train us. I need to remind everyone the Potters are a powerful old military house too.”

After breakfast Harry went back to studying for Healing, and Hermione spent time catching up with her parents. Both parents, were gratified to see their daughter was happy, with more energy than they had ever seen. Whether they wanted to see it or not, it was easy to see the positive effect, Harry and the discipline had on her. It made tolerating all this craziness, easier. Soon it was time for Lady Malfoy to arrive.

Chapter Text

Chapter 22

Harry and Hermione had decided to greet Lady Malfoy wearing proper wizarding attire. Harry wore a suit with an open day-robe over it and Hermione had a tea-length dress, also with a matching open day-robe.

When they went to change, suddenly they each found themselves helped into their clothes, by Tippy and Trixie with them fitted properly and not a wrinkle to be found. Trixie also quickly placed some light makeup on Hermione and changed her hair to an elegant updo. They both came back downstairs with funny looks on their faces, never having been assisted in such a way.

Harry took one look at Hermione and gasped, “Wow! You look wonderful. Trixie?”

Hermione blushed, “Yes.” She then looked at Harry and realized how perfectly he was dressed. Even his hair was not quite as much of a mess as usual. She smirked, “Toppy help you too?”

Harry grinned and nodded as they came to the floo.

As the Floo activated, Lady Malfoy inquired about joining them, and was invited through the floo. Lady Malfoy stepped out and noticed no soot on her clothes, but quickly decided to ignore it and pay attention to the young couple standing before her.

She immediately saw the two standing at attention looking at her. Narcissa stepped forward and Harry bowed. “Greetings Baroness Malfoy. Welcome to our home. We offer you bread, salt, and the warmth of our fire.”

Lady Malfoy’s eyebrow rose, ’Guest rites? How…interesting.’ Without missing a beat, she elegantly curtseyed, “My wand will assist yours for as long as I guest here.” She then turned to Hermione.

Harry then slightly turned to Hermione. “Lady Malfoy, my I present my wife the Countess Hermione Potter nee Granger.”

Hermione curtseyed, “Welcome to our home Lady Malfoy. I hope your journey was a comfortable one. Please call me Lady Hermione.”

Cissa then curtseyed back, “Then you must call me Aunt Cissa. I insist.” She then paused and relaxed slightly.

Cissa with an approving nod continued, “Very well…none of that was exactly correct, but the attempt showed intelligence, discipline, and a wish to learn. That will save your bottoms…somewhat. I intend to work the two of you three hours, twice a week with the new term. We will cover comportment, including greetings, how to interact with other nobles avoiding the usual pitfalls, and how to present yourself as a Potter and a Black. There will also be dancing lessons, as that is essential for evening engagements.” She turned to Harry, “You will also be taught how to comport yourself in the Wizengamot as you will be taking your seat as Earl Potter, now that you have claimed your wife and your ring. Any questions?”

Hermione replied with a curtsey, “We have two hours free now if you wish to start and to give you an idea of what is needed to bring us up to speed. As our tutor, you need to be aware, Lord Harry has a meeting with Baron Greengrass in two days to give them the Proxy for this coming season.”

Aunt Cissa nodded and glanced to Harry, “Your wife already protects you from your mistakes. That is her job and you should be thankful for her efforts. In this case, we have very specific training to go over for that meeting. I can’t prepare you for dancing, but that is unlikely for a small business after dinner meeting.”

She then worked them hard, repeating the greetings over and over until they were instinctive. She only stung Harry once when he flubbed something after he should have had it down. She was gratified he took it as the chastisement it was, and then immediately did the greeting correctly.

After almost three hours, she stated she would be back tomorrow for another two hours to finish the training for the Greengrass meeting. They practiced their goodbyes and she floo’d away.

Emma had been watching from the distance, but since she did not approach, Lady Malfoy ignored her. Once she left, Harry lightly rubbed his bottom with a sheepish grin, “She’s good. I flubbed that on purpose to get her response. She nailed me without a second thought, yet never became emotional about it. She’ll do.”

Emma just shook her head, “That brought back memories of my grandmother. She was in charge of my sister’s and my comportment classes. She was gran when playing, but Lady Bencott during those sessions. I have vivid memories of her cane smacking my hand or ankle. Also the one time I was bent over the table for a proper bottom caning for a most egregious failure. Never made that mistake again!” She shook her head. “I also agree with your father, society went too far when this discipline was decided to be too cruel. Life is hard. Harsh training is appropriate when tempered by respect and love.”

She looked at the two of them, “We won’t interfere in her training. She seems a proper instructor.” She then looked at the time. “You better get ready for magical discipline. Master Flitwick will be here soon.” And she walked away while the kids raced upstairs to change again. Hermione quickly balmed Harry's sting away too, much to Harry’s gratification.

Hermione was having trouble with her hair when Flitwick came in. He saw her hair was a big snarl and with a slight grin asked, “What happened?”

Hermione exclaimed, “I don’t know. I tried to cast the military braid and this happened!”

Flitwick flicked his wand and the hair didn’t repair itself. “Huh…tell me what you did to your hair before…this.”

Hermione replied more than a little upset, “Nothing! Trixie had put it in an updo for our meeting with Lady Malfoy!”

Flitwick raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Trixie?”

Hermione huffed, “My personal lady elf. Rose assigned her to me.”

Flitwick laughed, realizing what happened, “Call Trixie.”

Hermione called out “Trixie, I need you.”

Trixie appeared, “What can Trixie do for Lady Pott-…what did you do to your hair?” she exclaimed.

Hermione said, “I tried to do a military braid and this happened.”

Trixie shook her head, “Never do that! Don’t cast wizard magic over elf magic. Bad things happen. Undo it!”

Hermione cast the reversal charm and her hair unsnarled itself and went back to the updo Trixie had placed. Hermione then asked, “OK, how do I cast the braiding charm now?”

Trixie crossed her arms, “You don’t! I do!” and with a snap of her fingers, Hermione was in a proper military braid. With a glare at Hermione, she popped away.

Flitwick shook his head, but noticed Hermione about to call her house elf back. “Not now Hermione! Solve the problem yourself, before next discipline.” He then barked, “Outside, now!” and they all ran.

Once outside, the Grangers could see fields of flickering energy making a box around a 10-meter by 30-meter area in the back of the yard. There were also five dummies standing about 10 meters away from the kids, in the middle of the box. The parents watched Flitwick explain something to the kids and then set Hermione at a point. He gave a curt motion and she was in a combat stance blasting the other side with her wand. They could see it was a rapid-fire drill but with some tactical components.

Dan readily figured out if you put a dummy down and it stayed down too long, it got back up. Evidently Hermione needed to have all down at the same time. She was able to accomplish this at about 10 minutes. Harry was then able to do it in about 6. It appeared he had better accuracy, and a better tactical awareness because he concentrated on not having any particular one go down before he was ready to take them all out.

Flitwick talked and lectured them again, before he had them repeat the exercise. This time Hermione was under 8 minutes, and Harry was at 5. Flitwick nodded and moved onto another exercise. He then taught them the cutting curse, setting the dummies a little further away, about 15 meters. Both learned the curses fairly quickly, but with their power levels had to learn to tone them down. Harry lashed out with a cutting curse and bisected all five through the chest also removing the arms which got in the way. Hermione almost lost her lunch seeing the carnage. Harry just looked downfield with a frown, and tried meditating on controlling his power.

Harry’s second attempt still cut deeply into them, with blood flying everywhere. Flitwick informed them, the spell was mastered when you could remove your opponent’s clothes and not cut the skin. Harry realized, it would be a while before he could do that.

Hermione stood there looking nervous. At a curt motion from Flitwick, she cast the cutting charm, trying to control it. Her spell lashed out and cut across all five clones. The spell appeared to strengthen toward the center as the two outside clones were cut deeply and fell to the ground, but not bisected. Unfortunately, the inner three clones were cut in half, with arms falling off too, the same as Harry's first attempt.

Hermione saw the arms fall, and then the torsos slide off their bases while all fell to the ground...obviously dead. She turned green and ran to the side of the field vomiting up her lunch, and continuing to dry heave.

Harry was there rubbing her back, and both appreciated the hair braid never so much as now. Harry would have been hard-pressed to keep her long hair clean while she was bent over, emptying her stomach.

Harry consoled her “It’s fine, Mine. They aren’t real. That is why master has us learn the spells against dummies. So we don’t cripple or kill any other students accidentally.” He said in an obvious attempt at comforting her. Hermione looked back at Harry gratefully.

After vanishing the sick, Harry helped Hermione to her feet. Flitwick calmly instructed them, "That was an acceptable first attempt. We will work on that over time until you can strip someone without nary a scratch on their bare bodies." he then grinned, "Now the blasting charm. This one can be used to drop a shield, blow a door open, or if powerful enough, as a siege engine spell."

Flitwick glanced at the parents, and decided to make a point. He ramped up the wards significantly, and with an obviously complex spell by his wand movements, put a large iron troll about 4 meters tall, all the way at the other side of their dueling area, about 25 meters away. Flitwick then turned to Harry, “Release your magic and blast it with everything you have.”

“Master?” Harry replied, uncertainly.

Flitwick calmly instructed, “You heard me.”

Harry barked out “Sir!” and released his magic. Again, Dan felt the vastness of the power permeate everything. Emma gulped as she felt it too. Harry’s eyes were glowing and burning an intense green, like a copper fire. He pointed his wand downfield and stabbed it forward, while grimacing slightly. A bright light left Harry’s wand, and burned down the field, before it struck the iron statue in the chest. On striking the statue, there was a blinding white explosion of light, accompanied by a thunderclap so loud it set their ears to ringing. At the same time, a shock wave hit them and drove them back a few feet.

Dan looked worriedly at the house, but none of the windows shattered…and they should have. When Dan could see again, he noticed the large iron statue had sublimed to vapor. There was a huge 20-meter-deep hole that went from ward edge to ward edge, and 20 meters toward them. The wards had been shattered, but were immediately reforming.

Dan yelled to Flitwick, “What about the neighbors?” He then looked at the yard and the house, “Or the house for that matter?”

Flitwick was expecting some reaction so answered quickly, “The wards protect the house. They also disguise anything seen, heard, smelled, or felt so the neighbors will not notice.” He then turned abruptly away, so Dan knew not to continue the conversation.

Dan then looked at Emma who was looking back in consternation, “At least city destroying, and he is just beginning his training.” She nodded realizing the danger of these two was very, very real. Harsh discipline was obviously necessary, but she was determined to also give Harry the love and compassion he so sadly lacked with his previous…guards.

Flitwick waved his wand and spent time casting spells to undo the damage. Once he had everything set back up, including filling in the hole again. He then had Hermione do the same drill. She released her magic and while it wasn’t the vast feeling of an angry god looking your direction, and pressing down upon you, it did feel like a powerful transformer was overloading right next to you. It was disconcerting as fuck! Her eyes were lit up and softly glowing a beautiful brown and she yelled, “Confringo!” A white bolt shot down, and also obliterated the statue, with an explosion of light and sound. When they could see again, the troll was gone, and a 20-meter circular hole was in it's place, cratering the ground. The wards behind it had cracked, but hadn’t shattered like they did with Harry. It was still obvious, her power was ridiculous too.

Flitwick then said, “OK you two. Sting/shield drills! Begin!” and they alternated calling a shield while the other one stung, then dropping it and casting a sting for the first one to shield against. They kept going, despite catching each other with sting hexes and yelping when they did. After twenty minutes of this and each having caught the other multiple times. Flitwick called a stop.

Hermione was silently crying but still came to attention. Harry wasn’t much better, but by the way he kept looking at Hermione, he wasn’t dealing with her distress very well either.

Flitwick walked up to them and said quietly, “Good job apprentices. Fighting through injuries and pain is an essential skill we will continue to work on.” He looked over to Hermione “You are doing wonderful, daughter. I know you feel you are failing, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m proud of you” and he held out his arms.

Hermione broke ranks and threw herself into him crying and hugging him tightly. After a minute he pushed her away. “Thirty-minute break! Go balm your stings, and get downstairs for some food. Dismissed!” They rushed away as fast as they could, while limping, and went upstairs. Stings hexes actually could hurt more if they hit other areas of the body, than your bottom. Ouch!

Flitwick joined the Grangers for a sandwich and a cold drink. He took a bite and raised an eyebrow at the fantastic taste.

“I know right? Flambe bakes his own bread, and this is honestly the best sandwich I have ever had.” Dan stated also eating. After he ate a bit he continued, “I thought you had pushed Hermione past her limit. Just when I thought she would break, you called a halt and let her cry her distress away. Now with them removing the physical pain using the balm, she will be ready for more. You definitely have her measure.”

Flitwick nodded and smiled slightly, at the compliment, “While I could push Harry much harder, I feel it more advantageous for him to stay only slightly ahead of her. Besides, he was the one close to breaking there. Her distress really damages his concentration. This exercise is for him to adjust to her pain and distress, too.”

The kids thundered back down the stairs and quickly grabbed a sandwich and some juice. Hermione took a bite and groaned. She called out, “Fantastic Flambe! I love your cooking.”

Flambe popped in and wrapped his arms around her, “Thank you, Lady Potter!” before he popped away.

Emma smiled and turned back to Flitwick, “Why?”

“Because the Potter Foible is well known and documented.” Flitwick thought a second, and then pulled a book out of his backpack. “Read this, it covers the salient points and those two have other books you can cross-reference.” Sitting back down, “What I was getting to, is any smart enemy will know about the empathic connection between a Potter and their mate. Any idiot will know causing Hermione significant pain or distress will disrupt Harry. I am hardening them to this very likely form of attack.”

Emma then frowned, “Won’t that also harden Harry to purposefully and personally causing her pain?”

The kids had suddenly stopped eating, and were carefully listening to the answer, as this was frightening…especially for Harry.

Flitwick smiled, “A very astute question, but no. Harry is learning the difference between Healer Harry having his hands on Hermione’s body, especially her erogenous zones, from husband or lover Harry touching the same areas with a very different intent, right?” Harry nodded to the truth of that, while Hermione blushed and looked down.

Flitwick continued, “It is the same with his empathy. Learning to acknowledge, but set aside Hermione’s pain not caused by him, is entirely different than dealing with any pain actually caused by Harry,” again he turned to Harry, “right, apprentice?”

Harry shuddered while looking away. He then looked back at Hermione, “Yes. I am slowly learning to set aside the pain, even I cause during exercise or sparing because it isn’t intentional. The few times we argue, or I intentionally hurt her feelings…it hurts…so much more.” He admitted looking down, with a quiet tremor in his voice.

Hermione with a soft cry hugged Harry. “Me too, Harry. Me too.”

After a minute, Flitwick said, “Finish your light dinner. Discipline restarts 8 minutes!”

Both said, “Sir!” and resumed eating.

Flitwick then shared a meaningful look with the Grangers. They got it now. These two shared a link which would make them bypass all the crap of the teen formative years as they actually felt the damage their mistakes caused each other. It would allow their relationship to survive and thrive when a normal teen relationship failed simply from ignorance of their partner’s needs, and what they were feeling. Dan was suddenly feeling much better about the situation.

Over the next 3 hours, Flitwick worked the cutting and blasting curses, again and again, until they had them under much better control. At the end of the session, he had them use their ‘normal’ powered blasting curse as the shield breaker during an alternating shield exercise. Both earned a couple of stings for that one. Both for not trusting their Master’s judgement, and also, for not trusting their partner.

However, by the end of the lesson, they were appropriately bringing down each other’s shield before then immediately having their own attacked until it went down. It was a good way to end the night. Dan just shook his head, totally understanding the purpose of self-discipline to avoid hurting your teammate, and also trusting said teammate to not hurt you back. Such exercises were essential in tight military units.

That night Harry massaged Hermione being very careful to be proper. When it was his turn, he was fidgeting a bit when he turned face-up.

Hermione was working up his right leg and reached his groin when Harry instinctively grabbed her hand. She relaxed and he released her. She then pulled her hands away and asked, “What’s wrong Harry?”

Harry sat up, and looked at her with obvious concern in his eyes. “This morning…you took liberties. Heck, you ran your hand over my penis!”

Hermione looked defensive, “I barely touched it! And you were wearing your pajamas!”

Harry just glared at her.

She blushed, “I’m sorry Harry. I was feeling naughty and thought it would be fun to break the rules, a little.”

Harry shuddered as his underwear cooled him off at that idea. He looked at Hermione, “I am afraid of hurting you, but my underwear is also working very hard to keep me soft at the idea of you playing with me.” And he glanced down at his groin, “Down there.”

He then looked worried, “However, I don’t want to get in trouble with our parents…especially in a way where they will bar you from my bedroom!”

Hermione shrugged, “I don’t think it will come to that.”

Harry cut her off, “Hermione! It’s the first day, for Merlin’s sake! Can’t you wait a week before you try to jack me off?” he ask with frustration.

Hermione got up, looking hurt and insulted, “Well! If you don’t want me!” and she moved to the door.

Harry ran to her and grabbed her, pushing her against the door to keep it closed. He was angry, “What do you mean, not want you? I want you so much, I would kill to keep you!” he loudly exclaimed.

He then looked at her with concern, “Do you want your parents to try to keep us apart? That could go very bad.” He whispered.

Hermione let out a little cry of distress. “NO!” and held him tightly. “No Harry, I don’t want to make them our enemies. I don’t know what Master would do, but it could be catastrophic!” She huffed, “This would be so much easier, if you could just spank me when I get naughty.” She grumbled.

Harry held her and gave her bottom a light smack. Obviously not that hard. Hermione just looked up at him with a raised eyebrow. “With Master’s sting hexes nailing my bottom, every day…did you think I would acknowledge something that soft?”

Harry looked abashed, “I hoped…No, not really. I am just…” and he shrugged in defeat, “I don’t know what I am doing!” he exclaimed.

Hermione hugged him tighter, “It’s OK, Harry. Give it time.” She then kissed him lightly. “I love you.”

Harry sighed, “I love you too, Mine. I just worry I will never be what you need…much less want.”

Hermione sighed, “You are Harry. You are.” They then went to bed. Hermione didn’t take any liberties this time.

The next day went well. Dan went into work for a while, but Emma watched the training again. It was more of the same. The kids being pushed to their limits, again and again. Lady Malfoy came again at noon and was gratified she didn’t have to reteach what was supposedly learned the previous day. She then spent the time polishing their presentation, and brought them their clothes, since they didn’t have appropriate outfits for their station. She also went over appropriate responses to likely challenges or options. By 2pm, Aunt Cissa was satisfied.

“All right you two. That is all I can do with the time we had. Still…I expect the two of you to comport yourselves properly. I have notified the Greengrass that the two of you are under my tutelage and to evaluate your performance tonight.”

Aunt Cissa than grinned viciously, “If I hear anything which embarrasses me, I will have the two of you, bare bottomed over that dining room table.” She said pointing at the furniture. “You will be howling and begging me to stop, long before I am finished castigating you, for your failure.” The look in her eyes made it very clear she was looking forward to it.

Hermione was trying to remain stone-faced but visibly blanched and shuddered in fear while glancing at the dining room table. She told herself she would be very careful and very proper tonight. She was NOT going to be bent over that table!

Chapter Text

Chapter 23

After magical discipline, they showered, balmed each other, and carefully dressed with the help of their parents and elves.

Emma watched Trixie help Hermione with light make up, and they all went over different hair styles until they found one which worked best for her. Emma looked at her daughter sitting there in silken knickers with expensive hose secured midthigh. ’Those sticking charms sure can be helpful.’ she thought to herself since Hermione wasn’t wearing the standard belt and straps to keep her hose up.

She sighed, “You are growing up so much!”

Hermione glanced at her and saw the distress in her mother’s eyes. Hermione stood, and came forward, hugging her tightly. “I still need you, Mum! There is so much I don’t understand yet!” She then frowned, “You need to help me raise my children to NOT be the next generation of Potters!” she said with venom. “I will raise them to be hard-working and heroic as expected, but if I see any signs of the Potter arrogance and aversion to following commands, there will be some very sore bottoms, until it’s gone!”

Emma looked concerned at her venom, “Moderation, Hermione! Always with moderation and love!” She then looked at her, “What brought this on? Harry doesn’t have an arrogant or insubordinate bone in his body.”

Hermione shuddered, “I read the histories. The Potter’s are a small family for attrition, not a lack of children. They are known for the ‘Potter Attitude’ which includes arrogance to the point of being real gits, especially in their early years, and overt insubordination so ingrained, it is expected! Society accepts it because they are also unstintingly heroic and known for taking out the evil of the world…or die trying.” She looked at her mother, “I need to nip this in the bud, and now that the family is starting over with Harry and I, expect to be able to do it…I hope.” She finished, her doubt, reappearing.

Emma sat down, and pulled Hermione back down next to her, holding her hands. “You do understand the principle of self-fulfilling prophesy?”

Hermione just looked at her with a frown, “You are saying, I am likely to overreach in my earnestness, to the point my children rebound the opposite way, in revolt for perceived unfair discipline?”

Emma smiled, “It is a thought. Every child is different, and without an arrogant uncle or aunt to lead them astray, you shouldn’t have too much trouble. However, if it’s an inbred tendency, all you can do is mitigate it, and teach them wisdom and restraint.” She then grinned at Hermione, “In short, a virgin with no intention of having sex anytime soon, should really not be worrying about how to raise her children, yet. It’s a bit, putting the cart before the horse.” She finished with a grin.

Hermione frowned at her, “Ha Ha…but I get your point.” She then stood up and Trixie dressed her, without damaging her make-up or hair-do. She looked in the mirror and gasped. A noble and beautiful woman was staring back.

Emma smiled looking over her shoulder, “You are truly beautiful Hermione.” She then turned to Trixie, “Thank you Trixie, you did a wonderful job.”

Trixie blushed at the praise.

Meanwhile in another room, Dan watched Tippy assist Harry in getting ready. Really the dress was similar to formal wear, just with the addition of an over robe or cloak. Aunt Cissa had beautiful cloaks made for them, which were expensively embroidered with the Potter insignia, and their red apprentice badges on their arms. On top of the outfits she provided, the cloaks made them look their station and rank.

Dan didn’t say anything until Harry was dressed. Their eyes met and Dan nodded. “Ready Harry?”

Harry took a breath and let it out, “As I can be.” He then looked earnestly at Dan, “Having Hermione to back my play, makes all the difference. Knowing there is someone who I can trust with anything and everything, makes every situation so much better.”

Dan smiled with approval. “Never forget that, and never let your woman think you have forgotten it. Appreciate her, and she will follow you through the gates of Hell.”

Harry nodded that he understood and they went to gather their women.

Harry saw Hermione and blushed at her beauty. He started reciting, “The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes because that is the doorway to her heart. The place where love resides.”

“The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman with passing years, only grows.”

Hermione blushed, “Woman by Amzah?” she asked looking down with downcast eyes, obviously feeling unworthy.

Harry placed a hand on her chin and gently raised her face to look in his eyes. “Your beauty is beyond my words, so I borrow others. We should be going soon.” And they smiled at each other.

Before they left, Emma called out, “All right you two, come over here.” She then pulled out a camera, with a grin.

Hermione looked at her and blushed, “Mum! It’s just a dinner!” she whined.

Dan grinned from where he was sitting, watching the whole thing. “Don’t argue, Hermione! You are away at school all year. This is your first formal…even without dancing. Don’t you also want pictures of your first formal with your husband?”

Harry grinned at her, “We need some pictures we can show company. The others…we really can’t.” he admitted with a faint blush.

Hermione blushed furiously and glanced at her parents, obviously hoping they didn’t get the message. The look in her mother’s eyes, dashed her hopes.

Emma with eyes twinkling, “OK, spill!” she said with another grin.

Harry glanced apologetically at Hermione, “Before I was healed, Hermione mandated that Master Pomfrey take pictures of my body…in excruciating detail…bare.” He then looked gratifying at Hermione, “Hermione predicted it would be needed to prove the severity of my injuries, as Dumbledore would likely brush them off. She was correct in her assumption and despite the embarrassment, they have proved very helpful at times.”

Hermione huffed and looked away.

Harry continued with a grin, “What has Hermione a bit out of sorts, is Master Pomfrey used the mirror technique on her. In short, she ALSO had a full set of pictures showing Hermione’s body before the training…also bare.” He grinned, “She repeated the pictures, for both of us two months later.”

He grinned and looked meaningfully at Hermione, “I am sure she will mandate another set when we return from break…to see how much your beauty has grown.” He said to Hermione.

Hermione just blushed and grinned back at Harry, “Nice save, buster.” She admitted.

Harry looked at Hermione and with a twinkle in his eye, he recited “With a chaste heart, and pure eyes I celebrate you, my beauty, restraining my blood so that the line surges and follows your contour, and you bed yourself in my verse, as in woodland, or wave-spume: earth’s perfume, sea’s music.”

With a smile he took a knee before her with his right hand over his heart and his left reaching for the sky. Harry continued, “Nakedly beautiful, whether it is your feet, arching at the primal touch of sound or breeze, or your ears, tiny spiral shells from the splendour of America’s oceans. Your breasts also, of equal fullness, overflowing with the living light and, yes, winged your eyelids of silken corn that disclose or enclose the deep twin landscapes of your eyes.”

Hermione blushed furiously as she realized Harry was reciting a poem about admiring her bare body. Harry grabbed her hand and continued, “The line of your back separating you falls away into paler regions then surges to the smooth hemispheres of an apple, and goes splitting your loveliness into two pillars of burnt gold, pure alabaster, to be lost in the twin clusters of your feet, from which, once more, lifts and takes fire the double tree of your symmetry: flower of fire, open circle of candles, swollen fruit raised over the meeting of earth and ocean.”

Harry heard a small gasp from Emma, but continued the poem, never taking his eyes from Hermione’s “Your body, from what substances agate, quartz, ears of wheat, did it flow, was it gathered, rising like bread in the warmth, and signalling hills silvered, valleys of a single petal, sweetnesses of velvet depth, until the pure, fine, form of woman thickened and rested there?”

“It is not so much light that falls over the world extended by your body its suffocating snow, as brightness, pouring itself out of you, as if you were burning inside. Under your skin the moon is alive.”

Hermione came forward and hugged Harry, pulled his head to her bosom. She quietly asked, “I didn’t recognize that one. Who wrote it?”

Harry stood up and replied sheepishly, “It was Ode to a Naked Beauty by Pablo Neruda. Naturally I had to look up some poems about naked gorgeous women. I was a teenage boy after all.”

Dan snorted and replied, “Reciting poetry in admiration of my daughter’s naked beauty…in front of me. You have big brass ones, Harry. Was your first poem a setup, so you could get away with this one?”

“NO! Sorry?” Harry, looked sheepishly back.

Hermione turned Harry’s head back to her, while glaring at her father. “Don’t you dare! It was sweet.” Turning back to Harry and grinning.

Emma looked at the two of them, “Can I see the pictures?” she asked hopefully.

Hermione groaned, “Yes, but tomorrow please. We really have to go!” She glanced fearfully at the table, “Being late could have consequences!”

Everyone knew what she meant, and allowed the two to get ready to leave.

It was time to leave, and Harry threw the powder into the fireplace, “Greengrass estate” the flames turned green and he put his head in, “Earl and Countess Potter, requesting to enter your domicile.”

After a minute they received a response, “The floo is open, enter and be welcome!”

Harry pulled his head out, stood up and walked through, soon followed by his wife.

Harry shot out of the floo, slid across the room and slammed up against a couch. He groaned, “Ouch!” and stood up, holding his head. Harry held it, for a few seconds to deal with the spinning from hitting it so hard, and then dusted himself off.

His wife stumbled out, but at least she was able to stay on her feet. She took one look at Harry, across the room and working to stand up, “Oh Harry!” Hermione said with some exasperation.

There was light laughter from the side. The two turned to see Daphne standing there in a beautiful dress with a richly embroidered open over-robe. The colors matched her complexion and blond hair perfectly. She had a big grin on her face.

Harry walked back over by Hermione, turned to Daphne and greeted her, “Heir Greengrass, greetings. Do you know my wife?”

Daphne’s eyes dilated and she went white-faced. “Wife?” she whispered, not trusting what she heard.

Harry replied with a smile, “Why yes. Allow me to present the Countess Hermione Potter nee Granger.” He then turned to Hermione, “Dear, I present Heir Daphne Greengrass, heir presumptive of Baron Greengrass.”

Daphne quickly curtseyed realizing Hermione outranked her. “Please call my Daphne, Lady Potter.”

Hermione curtseyed back, “Thank you, Daphne, please call me Lady Hermione. Your house is beautiful…now that my husband has scrubbed the floors for you.” She said with a slight smirk.

Daphne giggled before she schooled her face, while Harry groaned and good-naturedly glared at his wife. Daphne saw the red apprentice badges on their arms, and the rings on their fingers. “I still can’t believe you both won apprenticeships in your first year. I have never heard the like.”

Harry lightly replied, “With our power levels, we were extremely dangerous to other students, until we had it under control. However, we saw the value of the hard discipline training and asked Master Flitwick to continue. Eventually, he decided to make us apprentices and we agreed.”

Daphne scoffed, “It can’t be that simple!”

Hermione with a grin at her husband, replied drooly “My husband is the master of understatement. He ignores details, like killing a troll or conjuring a marble table fit for renaissance Rome, but what he said is generally correct.”

At this point Lady Greengrass came in to see what was holding things up. She looked at her daughter, “Daphne…is there a problem?”

Harry broke in bowing to Lady Greengrass, “Baroness Greengrass, please forgive our tardiness. I haven’t yet mastered the floo and hit my head sharply on your couch,” pointing at a couch across the room. “over there. Heir Greengrass was simply showing me the curtesy of letting me regain my wits, before I had to present myself to you and your Lord.”

Evaline looked slightly amused at his story. She said pointing at the offending couch, “That couch all the way over there?”

Harry nodded, ‘Yes ma’am,” and Daphne nodded to the truth of it with a giggle.

Evaline then looked at her daughter, “Introduce us, daughter.”

Daphne’s face immediately became calm and proper. She then came forward, “Earl Harold Jameson Potter, Countess Hermione Jane Potter nee Granger, I present my mother Baroness Evaline Greengrass nee Fawley.”

Evaline Curtseyed, “Greeting Earl, Countess Potter. Welcome to our home, please call me Lady Greengrass.”

Harry bowed again, and kissed her hand, “Please call be Lord Harry, Lady Greengrass. I insist.”

Hermione curtseyed, “Please call my Lady Hermione, Lady Greengrass. Thank you for having us to your beautiful home.”

Evaline smirked, “Not bad. It seems you won’t be bent over the dining room table, after all.” She said with an arched eyebrow.

Hermione went white as a ghost, and whispered, “Thank you, Lady Greengrass.” Her gratitude could not be faked.

Evaline on noting the open fear in Hermione’s eyes, nodded with approval. “Good…You read the signs correctly. It wasn’t an empty threat. Too many first-gens grow up coddled and don’t understand discipline. It is good to know, you are already past that point. Come. Let me introduce you to my Lord and husband,” and she led them away.

Daphne’s face had gone rigidly neutral, when the dining table was mentioned. It was obvious, she was familiar with the concept, too.

The group went through beautiful richly decorated halls, to a sitting room. In the room, a fairly handsome man of average height dressed in ornate robes, stood and turned to face them as they came into the room. He smiled, “So EV, you found our wayward guests?”

Harry again sighed, “My fault, Lord Greengrass. Tonight was my first attempt with the floo. It appears I need much more training in that…like so many other things. You daughter was simply giving me the time to recover from my…accident.”

Lord Greengrass laughed loudly, “Well then! I forgive your tardiness!”

He turned to his wife who said, “My Lord and Lady Potter, I introduce my husband, Baron Ignatius Greengrass III. My Lord, I introduce Earl Harold Jameson Potter and his wife Countess Hermione Jane Potter nee Granger.”

Ignatius bowed, “please call me Lord Greengrass. My friends call me Iggy.”

Harry bowed back “please call me Lord Harry, Lord Greengrass.”

Hermione then curtseyed and allowed him to kiss her fingers, “please call me Lady Hermione, Lord Greengrass. Thank you for seeing us tonight. Your assistance to my Lord is appreciated.”

He grinned once the greetings were completed, “Cissa doesn’t disappoint.” He said to his wife who smiled. Both Harry and Hermione blushed and said nothing.

Chapter Text

Chapter 24

Shortly an elf came in wearing Greengrass livery, and announced dinner was served. They were led to the dining room. It was richly appointed with a long table that could seat over 30, comfortably. It had been broken apart and a segment for six was set with white cloth, crystal and silver. Iggy was seating Hermione on one side, while Harry seated EV and Daphne on the other. Then both took the ends across from each other. Once seated, another liveried elf, filled their glasses with a rich red wine.

Harry then stood, raising his glass, “I toast our host and hostess. Thank you for bringing us all together and for your generous hospitality. Tonight is a testament to your willingness to help my wife and I, be welcomed by Magical Britain. I look forward to the two of you helping us finish our education, and take our proper place in society.” He then raised his glass, “Cheers.”

Hermione and Daphne quickly rose and joined the toast. “Cheers.”

Both Iggy and EV stayed seated, but with a smile took the required sip to honor the toast. EV just gave Harry an inscrutable look, while Hermione wondered if that toast just made tomorrow…painful.

Soon polite conversation started, and they had a wonderful seven course dinner talking about classes and school.

After the third course, “So, an award for special service to the school in your second month no less.” Iggy suddenly stated with a piercing look at Harry.

Harry finished chewing and wiped his face after putting down his silverware. “Yes sir, but I feel the fraud in collecting it. Honestly, I would have considered refusing, except they only gave me 5 points for saving my witch’s life, in the first place. It was seriously insulting and hurtful, to place such a non-existent value on her; so when challenged, and they overreached the opposite direction, I went along with it.”

Evaline cut in, “Why did you feel it was inappropriate?” It was obvious by the look in her eyes, she was honestly puzzled by the evaluation.

Harry turned to her and replied, in a matter-of-fact tone “Accidental magic, ma’am. I lashed out, not as a wizard, but as a toddler fearing for his friend. While saving Hermione was worth it, being awarded for accidental magic made me feel a fraud…much similar to that boy-who-lived rubbish. No 15-month-old ever did anything of consequence except soil a nappy. I’m sure it was my mother who drove my enemy away, not me.” Harry forcefully asserted.

Iggy just looked at him, calmly evaluating. He was starting to like this boy. Too bad the Potter Foible doesn’t allow for arrangements, as he would have been perfect to take his daughter as bound concubine and raise the next Greengrass. He then asked, “Do you feel the same way about being named Hawk?” he asked with a grin.

Harry groaned, “You are too well informed, sir. That one is earned, though I can’t see my team appreciating me ending a game before anyone touches a quaffle or a bludger. Once was interesting for everyone to experience, however if I do it again, I can see both teams getting grouchy with me.” He admitted with an embarrassed smile.

Evaline laughed lightly “Too true. My husband didn’t play, but I was a chaser. I would definitely get grouchy if the seeker ended the game that quickly.” She turned to Hermione, “I hear you are first in your class with your husband second.”

Hermione put down her silverware, “Yes ma’am, though with Master Flitwick’s personal attention, I’m not sure the ranking is fair. Your daughter is third, and as the first one without a professor spoon-feeding her, she should be proud of her accomplishment,” she said earnestly.

Daphne blushed at being included and complimented that way. Evaline nodded to the modesty and smiled at the compliment of her daughter. ’Well played, my dear, well played.’ she thought.

The dinner continued with more light talk. Eventually, Iggy asked, “Why is Master Flitwick giving you, personal attention?” with a puzzled look at Harry.

Harry looked at him with disbelief, “You know about the troll and the quidditch yet plead ignorance of this? For shame, Sir!” he said with a slight frown. After a few seconds, the frown disappeared and Harry smiled slightly, “However, I will play along. I was tested the first night and almost destroyed the tower, terrifying numerous students. As I am sure you already know, I am a full Magus, while my wife is a partial Magus. We were immediately placed under strict discipline training from day one. We haven’t missed a day since, and are now the official apprentices of Master Flitwick. We intend to master Charms, DADA, Dueling, and Runes. I also intend to become a Master Healer. Hermione is still undecided on where to direct her brilliance, though I know, whatever she chooses, will be spectacular.” He said with an admiring glance at Hermione.

Hermione blushed and looked down in appreciation with a small smile.

Iggy took the gentle chiding in stride and nodded to the truth of it. “I just wanted to hear your own interpretation of the situation. It fits the way you answered your previous questions. You have a startling tendency toward modesty.” And he paused for a few seconds, “Something unexpected from the Boy-Who-Lived.” He said looking in Harry’s eyes.

Harry’s eyes flashed and he flushed in anger, but said nothing.

Hermione on feeling Harry’s rage, cleared her throat, “You will have to excuse my Lord, but that moniker seriously offends him. Those books had him living in Wales with family who cared and trained him while he had wonderous adventures. Those stories couldn’t be further from the truth. He was left by Dumbledore on a cold November night at his aunt’s doorstep.”

She then frowned, “Known magic-haters who Harry’s parent’s will, expressly forbade, him going anywhere near. Instead, Dumbledore sealed the will and condemned Harry to thirteen years of continuous starvation, imprisonment, slave-labor, and at a minimum, three whippings a day and most days provided many more. His back and legs used to be completely covered by scars. Nightly treatment has finally, made them disappear. I was the one who spread the scar treatment on them, and I counted 97 lash scars to give you an idea of the abuse he suffered.”

Harry was sitting there, stone-faced. Hermione with a sympathetic look at Harry then turned back to Iggy and continued, “If you wonder why we are so beholden to Master Flitwick, he ‘arranged’ for the Dursleys to develop a fatal illness, so Harry had to go to my parents instead of that hell hole. We owe him a debt which cannot be repaid, and Dumbledore is our lifelong enemy. Currently under cease-fire true, but an enemy forevermore.” She explained with obvious tight control of her emotions. Despite that, it was easy to see the hate and rage dancing behind her eyes, too.

Harry just put his hand on hers and squeezed it in appreciation. After a few seconds he said, “Please forgive my wife, but her dedication, love, and ferocious loyalty are my most valued possessions." He turned and looked in Hermione's eyes with adoration, "I can hardly fault her for them."

Iggy just watched the two of them and raised his glass. With a smile he toasted, “To the love of a virtuous witch, there is no greater gift.”

Harry raised his glass to Iggy, but glanced lovingly at Hermione again, before returning the toast. “Here Here!” He saluted Iggy and took a generous sip.

Both Evaline and Hermione blushed, looking down demurely, in appreciation of the compliment from their Lords. Daphne looked on, not able to believe what she was hearing. It was too outrageous.

Soon dinner was concluded. Baron Greengrass then took Harry to his study while Hermione was left with Daphne and Lady Evaline. Hermione had trouble keeping a calm face while she looked the direction Harry had gone, and was fidgeting a bit.

Evaline looked at Hermione, noting where her attention lied. She smiled knowingly. “It is frustrating being automatically excluded from the important negotiations, isn’t it?”

Hermione turned to EV, giving her Hermione’s attention, but said nothing. After a few seconds, she grudgingly nodded.

Daphne, noting the hesitation in Hermione, bitingly stated “At least you had some say in your husband, so missed that painful exclusion. Having little or no say in who will bed you, and father your children is…painful.”

Evaline looked fiercely at Daphne, “If your father knew you said that to guests, he would have you over the dining room table immediately, and none too gently!” It was obvious by the furious look in EV’s face, that the experience may not wait for Daphne’s father to initiate it.

Daphne, shocked out of her self-absorption by her mother’s fury, blanched and squeaked. “Sorry Mum!” she exclaimed fearfully, “but I have nightmares of a brutal and callous husband coming to my bed to hurt me again, and again. With no way to keep it from continuously repeating. It terrifies me!” she admitted, now in tears.

Hermione went over to her and grasped her hand tightly. “I’m sure your father will be diligent and make sure your husband will be a gentle and considerate lover.” She assured her.

Daphne just looked back, continuing to let the silent tears fall, not saying anything.

Evaline was slightly hurt, when Daphne said nothing to support the statement. She knew Iggy loved his daughter, but then…her father professed to love her too. Honestly, she really couldn’t blame Daphne. Evaline remembered waiting for her new Lord in her wedding bed, barely knowing Iggy at the time. That first month of marriage was rough, and often painful.

It improved over time, as Iggy learned how much more fun it was, to have an enthusiastic lover, and how to make EV enjoy his touch. They found an acceptable compromise. Fortunately, Iggy wasn’t the type to enjoy brutalizing or demeaning his wife, so it wasn’t hard to learn how to avoid his discipline. It could have been significantly worse.

Daphne dashed her tears away and looked accusingly at Hermione, “You are doing this too well. Aren’t you a first-gen?” she challenged with overt suspicion.

Hermione blanched at the challenge, “Harry and I are under the exacting tutelage of Lady Malfoy. She made it very clear, a date with our dining room table was in the near future if we embarrassed her tonight. It was obvious she was looking forward to it,” and she couldn’t hide a slight shudder.

Daphne winced, “Yes…Draco has told stories about his mother. He loves her dearly, but is categorically terrified of her, more than his father by a significant margin.” She admitted. She then looked at Hermione with concern, “She is a Black Witch!” she admitted with fear.

Hermione looked at her and sighed, “I know. That is why we asked her.”

When Daphne looked at her with disbelief, Hermione continued, “Harry is a Black, so…we hope she is willing to teach us what it will take to raise the next generation of Blacks.”

Daphne looked at her in disbelief, hardly believing someone would risk such a thing.

Daphne continued to look at her, but when Hermione continued to look calmly back, decided to change the subject. Daphne then grinned, “So…you sleep with your Lord already?”

Hermione was shocked by the question and stood there with an open mouth, at the change of subjects. She didn’t say anything.

Evaline quietly chided, “Daphne!” but when Hermione didn’t answer she looked at her and asked, “Well?” with open questioning eyes.

Hermione, now over her surprise, smirked and giggled, at the light banter, “Yes. The Potter Foible made that mandatory." she admitted, then glared for a second, "As I'm sure you both know! However, we do nothing more than kiss and cuddling. No snogging or heady petting yet.”

Daphne smirked, “Showering and washing each other nude, with an audience no less, is your definition of no heavy petting?” her eyes dancing in mischief.

Hermione blushed to her roots, and gasped out “Daphne! Who told! The Quidditch locker-room is inviolate!” When Daphne with dancing eyes said nothing, Hermione continued with a huff, “We have never washed each other’s bits…ever!” She then glared at Daphne, and admitted, “While I have seen his body do certain…things. I have not touched his bits, nor have I let him touch me...there either. Those regions are strictly off-limits for the foreseeable future!” she embarrassingly assured them.

Daphne looked at Hermione. “So, you saw him do…that?” she asked, curious in spite of herself.

Hermione blushed again, “Yes…at his age getting erect happens fairly often, and he could pop off from almost anything. Certainly, seeing a 20-year-old quidditch witch bare, is almost guaranteed to bring things to a quick conclusion. It was the reason I was in the Quidditch showers, despite not being on the team. I needed those witches to understand certain truths, and felt the rushing of certain experiences was made necessary.” She explained with a fire in her eyes that EV admired.

Daphne bashfully asked, “How was it?” still very curious.

Hermione huffed, “Both more and less than I expected. Having my Lord lose control of himself in a wave of extreme pleasure, and have it caused by me…was heady and addictive. Still, I won’t know more until I have a hands-on experience with certain activities…and certainly expect, him releasing inside me will be the wonderous experience everyone says it is…However, that isn’t happening for a while…especially with the law prescribing any serious activity until we both are past our 16th birthday. Still, I needed to rush things somewhat, so I was sure Harry was safe from the Quidditch witches, but now I’m thinking we are holding things as they are, and slowing back down.” She said cautiously.

Evaline nodded to the logical and very Ravenclaw solution, despite the disjointed nature of the explanation showing her embarrassment at discussing it.

EV found herself admiring Lady Hermione for having the grit to go through with such a plan, at her age. After a minute she stated, “OK, let’s steer this conversation back to the appropriate. I don’t want your father barging into the middle of this, or we all, will be bent over that table,” she said with a sigh.

Hermione looked at her sharply, blushed, and asked concernedly “Does your husband do that to you, often?” looking at Evaline cautiously, but Eveline thought she also saw some hunger mixed with the fear.

Evaline looked back intently, but quickly realized this wasn’t a gauche attempt at gossip, or an attempt to embarrass her. This was a serious request for knowledge from someone new to their world, and more than a little curious. After a few seconds, EV decided to answer truthfully. “For me, not over much. Iggy is fairly gentle, but if I push things past known hard limits, he will definitively convince me to stop it, with the dining room table a distinct, and often remembered possibility. Some wives face much more, but thankfully true brutality, is much less common in our world, than you would think.”

Hermione asked, “How do you feel about it?” She then frowned, “I recently had to tell Harry to man up, and spank me, if he felt the need. He would threaten it, but his obvious bluffing, irritated me. It felt like he was lying to me, and I could not take that.” She admitted with a blush.

Evaline sighed as she looked at Hermione, “Young love…to prefer a sore bottom to a lie. My one love before Iggy, was a passionate sort, but he also wouldn’t take me in hand when appropriate. I remember saying a similar thing to him.” She sighed again, “I wonder how he is doing. We haven’t talked in nearly 20 years.” She whispered looked off into the distance.

She then looked at Hermione, “But back to your real question, how do I feel when my Lord punishes me. Most of the time I feel shame, because I deserve it. Sometimes I feel rage or bitterness, because I do not. Other times, it is freeing because the pain washes my guilt away…especially after Iggy has forgiven me, and other times it is really arousing, because it shows my Lord to be decisive, powerful, and paying attention to me. Traits a witch looks for in her wizard. Honestly, it is almost always some form of combination…which can lead to a wonderful bout of confusing and chaotic, make-up sex. Slap and tickle indeed.” She explained with a red-faced smile.

Daphne then groused, “And through all of that…it just hurts! How do you justify wanting it?” she asked bitterly.

Evaline looked at her daughter, and frowned with obvious disappointment, “I thought we had discussed this, Daphne, but for the benefit of Lady Hermione, we will cover it again.”

She turned to Hermione, “Life is not fair. Whoever you marry, will have the legal right and social obligation to discipline you. Unless you marry a weak thing you can dominate, he will take his wand to you…or even spank you with hand or belt, occasionally. If he does it correctly, it will certainly hurt!”

She then looked in Hermione’s eyes, “You have two choices of how to deal with this. You can accept it as something you can’t change, and make the best of it. With this choice you will have the occasional bad day with a sore bottom, surrounded by many more good days when you don’t. That doesn’t even include you surrendering to your Lord, and him forgiving you, leading to great make-up sex…which if you handle the situations correctly, and have taught your Lord what pleases you, occurs most every time.” She finished with a slightly naughty grin at Hermione, who shyly grinned back.

She then looked sadly at Daphne, “The other way is to rail against it. You may change some people’s opinions, but more likely than not, other witches will shy away from you, because you will make their lives more painful, not less. Then there is your life, on one hand, your husband will be forced to punish you more often, because you fight it and if you are public in your criticism, he will be socially required to be take a much harsher disciplinary line with you. You will not enjoy that, either.”

She then looked beseeching at Daphne, “Then there is your state of mind. If you continuously feel the world is treating you unfairly, you will have no good days. None. Instead of the occasional punishment netting you a sore bottom, you will now have days full of bitterness and resentment whether your bottom is sore or not. Can you understand what I am trying to say?” she finished, staring intently in Daphne’s eyes.

Hermione looked at Evaline, desperately trying to convince Daphne to choose the better path. The desperation convinced her of the truth of it, and Hermione found herself cutting in “So, if you have no realistic chance of changing something, make the best of it, and work on those things you can change.” She concluded, surprising herself.

Evaline’s eyes lit up, as she turned back to Hermione “Very well put, Lady Hermione, very well said indeed.” She then turned to Daphne, and raised an eyebrow…waiting.

Daphne huffed, “I get the point! I really do, I just don’t like it!” She then looked at Hermione, “Besides I don’t know who I am to marry the way Lady Hermione does! There is a very real chance I will not enjoy his touch, whether he is hitting me or forcing me to pleasure him in my bed. It has made me bitter, and I suspect I will stay this way until I have been proven wrong with a good wizard…or proven right.” She said fearfully with tears in her eyes again.

Hermione thought about Harry and their arguments. She realized just how lucky she was to have a wizard who read her emotional needs…and more importantly cared about them. A confusing mix-mash of thoughts and emotions indeed. Also, the idea of make-up sex after being spanked, was really arousing, and she started to respond to the idea, having to immediately change her thoughts. Evaline was watching her, and had a good idea of where her thoughts ran, with a small smirk.

Evaline then looked at her daughter the ‘ice queen’ and worried. She really hoped Iggy found a suitable mate for her, or Daphne was going to have a very painful and lonely life. It was sad.

Chapter Text

Chapter 25

About this time Lord Greengrass returned with Harry. He looked at the three and asked “How is everyone doing? Successfully entertaining our new ally?” he asked with a grin.

Evaline smiled, “So you came to an agreement? Wonderful!” she enthused.

Harry replied, “Yes…once we report to the next Wizengamot meeting, The Potter and Greengrass will become allies, and Baron Greengrass will become the official proxy for the Potter votes and speak in my stead.” Harry then turned to look at Iggy, “I feel confident in saying, the both of us found a kindred spirit today, and we can expect to support each other’s endeavors for many decades to come.”

Hermione curtseyed to the two of them, “That is so wonderful my Lord! I also learned a great deal from my dear classmate and her mother. They took sympathy on me, and helped me to better understand the world I am joining. We aren’t friends yet, but I hope the seeds of that tree have taken root. I sincerely wish, what we did here tonight, will have Heir Daphne and I, taking tea and laughing together while our children play at our feet.”

Daphne’s mask was on full force but she had to admire Hermione’s performance…there was even some truth to it. She sighed to herself, ’Fine! I can now see why this witch is considered the smartest of her generation and top of the class!’

Evaline also smiled. Cissa was going to be disappointed. 'This performance definitely did not warrant a properly stung bottom. She would have to find another reason to punish them to make them fear her properly.' She thought for a moment. ’I believe I will remind her that Hermione already fears punishment, and an unnecessary and not earned roasting will actually damage their relationship, not strengthen it. We will see.’

Harry and Hermione soon made their goodbyes and went home. The next day a letter arrived from Aunt Cissa.

To Lord Harold and Lady Hermione:
I had a long conversation with Lady Greengrass. She was most impressed with your performances. She found you both, worthy allies of the Greengrass family, if still a little rough around the edges.
I won’t be coming by later to bend you over the dining table, as you did not embarrass me.
I will see you next term as neither of you are prepared for the Yule Ball this year. Expect to be ready next year, so make plans, you will be attending.
You did adequately last night, and I expect to see the same level of commitment and dedication to your education in the future. Don't disappoint me. It will have consequences.
Lady Malfoy.

They were sitting down to breakfast, after morning discipline, when the letter arrived and Harry snorted on reading it. He handed it to Hermione who blanched and shuddered a bit, before handing it to her mother.

Emma quickly read it before handing it to Dan. Dan, after reading it, shook his head, “Yikes! That was one part carrot and three parts stick!” Looking at the two of them, “I don’t envy the two of you. She basically told you, she intends you bent over this table, but is giving you the chance to avoid it. She just doesn't think you will.”

Emma thought for a second, “Yes, that was so similar to a letter I received from Gran, that my bottom clenched just reading it.” She then turned to Harry, “Would you take a piece of advice that will place you a step further away from her retribution?”

Harry nodded, and more importantly Hermione clutched his hand and nodded enthusiastically.

Emma smiled, “You need to have the Earl Potter send a letter thanking Baron Malfoy for his wife’s assistance in securing the Greengrass alliance and proxy. Give your admiration for his wife and how the Potters are now in the Malfoy debt.”

Hermione thought for a second and grinned, “Oh, that’s good. It’s exactly the right thing to do, but since she hasn’t covered that yet, won’t be expecting us to give proper thanks. It’s almost guaranteed her husband will tell her or share the letter, and she will be impressed, especially if she sees it for exactly what it is, armor for our bottoms.”

Emma grinned like a child hoping to open presents, “OK…now can I see those pictures?”

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and sighed. Hermione got up, “I’ll go get them.” She said in defeat.

A few minutes later, she came back with four sets of pictures. “This is why we took the pictures in the first place.” And she put down the first set of Harry.

Both Dan and Emma looked at the pictures. At first, they were shocked how Harry moved in them, showing his obvious embarrassment at being nude, and the shame he had for his weak body. It seemed magical pictures were mini-videos. Dan frowned in distaste at what Harry looked like, while Emma let out a sob.

Harry seeing this, interrupted “Hey! None of that! I’m better now, and have a wife and parents who love me. See?” and he put down his second set.

Emma snatched them up, and marvelled at the improvement in two months. The scars were much reduced, and he no longer looked sickly. Harry still showed embarrassment at being nude, and he would cover his dick occasionally. With a smirk, she said, “I would love to see pictures of you now to compare. You have certainly continued to improve.” She said looking at him with a smile.

Harry looked at her confused. “You saw me during my massage. What do you hope to see in pictures that you didn’t see then?”

Emma replied slightly embarrassed, “Good point, but it would allow a similar comparison, picture to picture. Still, you are correct.” She turned to Hermione, “Which set should I look at first with you?” she said with another grin.

Hermione blushed and handed over the first set, then the second.

Emma looked at both, before handing them to Dan. Hermione was also embarrassed by being nude, but there was a fire in her eyes as she aggressively posed to hide her embarrassment. “Wow, dear. You have definitely changed too. The muscle definition change is significant…as is your confidence. Be proud! You look wonderful!” and Dan looking at them nodded without any embarrassment. He noted her beautifully developing body, but what caught his attention was the fire in her eyes. It made him proud.

Harry seeing the pride in Dan’s eyes, thought to himself, ’Wow! Nudity really isn’t anything among proper families of mundane, either!’

After breakfast, Harry asked to talk with Dan, and they went off to talk in his den. Once sitting there, Dan asked, “What do you need Harry?”

Harry showing some embarrassment, “I don’t have any Yule presents for any of you, or Master Flitwick or Lady Malfoy. I don’t know what to get or where to get it.”

Dan thought for a second. “Lady Malfoy has a son your age, correct?” Harry nodded yes. “You haven’t known her long enough for a significant present. Try to discover her favorite fruit from her son, and send her a fruit basket dominated by that fruit with a thank you letter for her assistance with the Greengrass, from the Countess Potter. OK?” Harry grinned and nodded his thanks.

“Now Flitwick is harder. Did I hear correctly that the two of you pranked Hermione mimicking a Vader/Emperor conversation?” he asked with an amused look in his eyes.

Harry grinned, “I made up a different apprentice from Vader as I didn’t want to try to mimic the breathing apparatus, but yes, Hermione really didn’t like it at all.”

Dan grinned back, “OK, there is a high end book store we will go to, where you can buy books for Hermione and Emma. We will get Hardcover copies of the Star Wars saga for him. He should appreciate the intent even if he already has the books. At the same time, you can pick something up for the other two. Get a book or two for me as well this year, and next year worry about a more personalized present. Honestly giving me a son, to have these conversations with, is the best present I have gotten since the birth of my daughter.” He admitted with a real smile.

Harry threw himself into Dan’s arms and hugged him tightly while tears poured down his face. “I love you, Pop!” he suddenly exclaimed, and Dan with tears in his eyes quietly replied, “I love you too, son.”

Hermione barged in, feeling Harry’s distress and stopped at the two hugging. She was followed by Emma and all four were soon crying tears of joy. They were definitely a family now.

Harry contacted Draco via Floo who thought fresh fruit was a wonderful idea and told Harry, his mother liked strawberries dipped in chocolate, but if you wished to impress her, get her Kumquats and Starfruit. She had developed a taste for them, when an Asian student introduced her to them at school.

Harry sent Lady Malfoy a basket with a tray of chocolate covered strawberries with assorted fruits including 4 Starfruits and 8 Kumquats on top. It included a letter from Hermione thanking her for her assistance in securing the Greengrass alliance for the Potter Proxy. When Draco saw the gift, he was impressed, and the letter was nicely done. His mother didn’t want to admit it, but was suitably impressed, especially on top of the letter to Lucius. They were good students.

Flitwick was also impressed with the Star Wars books. He actually didn’t have them and was intrigued at the idea of ‘reading’ a movie. Flitwick’s gift to his apprentices, was two Apprentice Trunks.

Apprentice Trunks had the standard mundane sized compartment, but if you pushed your magic into the lock, when you opened it, it opened into a much larger storage area. You were not allowed to enter it, but could think what you wanted and it would be within reach. This was fairly normal for higher end trunks. What made these special, is if you set them up on end and opened them that way, they became a closet/office.

Opening them on end made the trunk turn into a closet and desk. The closet allowed the storage of over 3 meters of hanging space and 10 drawers for other items like underthings, sweaters, shoes, and stockings. The other side was the apprentice desk. That was a nice one-meter desk with storage for large amounts of parchment, ink, and other incidentals. Above the desk was a rolling library which could hold 1000 tomes, grimoires, or scrolls. All which would be in site when requested by thought. In short this was a very nifty item, and since it kept the student from going ‘inside’ it was allowed at school.

The desk also had numerous blood and magic locks making it very hard to circumvent. The apprentice was usually notified they needed to open it for their head of house on request, or it will be sent home.

Harry was told by Pop that Hermione’s favorite book was Pride and Prejudice. He secured first editions of four of the author’s most famous books Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and Persuasion, all signed by Jane Austen. It was ridiculously expensive, but Harry bought it as an engagement/Yule present for her. Hermione loved the present, but refused to read them, placing the books in her father’s office in his glass fronted bookcase. She was often seen, just looking at the books through the glass, thinking happy thoughts.

The family bought Harry a full wardrobe (mundane) including everything from winter through summer ware, from casual to formal ware. Harry was blown away. It was more than he ever received from anyone. He thought that was all he was getting until they brought out a large box from Hermione. Inside was twenty mundane medical texts covering Internal Medicine, Obstetrics, Basic Surgery, Neurology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and many more...including Basic and Advanced Dentistry. He just cried to have a family support his dreams to such an extent.

Hermione asked uncertainly “Do you really like them?”

Harry just grabbed her and kissed her with such love and gratitude; it took everyone’s breath away. Even Dan could see this wasn’t a kiss of lust, but of true companionship and appreciation. He loved Harry a little more that day. Harry finally broke the kiss with tears pouring down his eyes and just hugged her tightly. It was all more than he could handle, and Harry broke down in Hermione’s arms for a while. She just held him, basking in his love and happiness.

After Harry was able to regain his composure, the family resumed their evening. Harry was told they were going to a midnight mass at the family church. Harry looked at Hermione, “Is this where we will marry in 3 to 4 years?”

Emma just went “Oh!” clutching Dan in hope and surprise. She looked at Harry with wonder, while Hermione nodded with a beautiful light in her eyes.

Harry smiled and asked, “Will I be welcome there? After the childhood I had…I’m not sure I can believe. I asked for help many, many times…and none came,” he said quietly.

Dan just put his hand on Harry’s shoulder, “You will be welcome. After fighting in the war, my faith was…damaged too. It took the birth of my daughter to find it again.”

Harry smirked slightly, “So the birth of a witch caused you to regain your faith?” he asked with a grin.

Emma lightly smacked him on the head, “Don’t tease! When we found out she was a witch, we did wonder about that. However, while she was trying, it had to do with being our daughter and combining the best and worst personality traits of the two of us. It was not some daemonic possession…despite her terrible twos being spectacular.”

Harry dressed in his new clothes and joined them at church that night. Harry was introduced as a fosterling who lost his parents in a tragic accident. He went to the same exclusive school in Scotland that Hermione attended, so Hermione had asked her parents to meet him. They fell in love with him, almost immediately, so the relationship was permanent now. The adoption paperwork was working through the system.

Harry looked suddenly at the Grangers with an obviously surprised look on his face. Dan just looked at him and said, “It’s the truth son, Happy Christmas.”

Harry just hugged him tightly with tears in his eyes. Both Emma and Hermione were also tearful, while their fellow parishioners congratulated Harry on gaining a family and joining the fold. They did notice Harry was obviously good friends with Hermione, and doted on her. One old lady smirked and complemented them on picking their son-in-law so they could train him up.

Emma just snorted and said, “Hermione had categorically ‘friend-zoned’ her new brother, but anything was possible.”

The service was a new experience for Harry. He wasn’t sure if he believed, but the joy from Hermione at imagining their wedding here, and realizing the Grangers were officially adopting him, was profound and definitely left its mark on Harry. So did the love the Grangers obviously had for each other, touching and holding hands during the service. Harry wanted to have that for the two of them when they were older.

Four days later was the last Wizengamot meeting of the year. It wasn’t common to introduce new business, but wasn’t against the rules either.

Dumbledore opened the gathering and asked for new business. Baron Greengrass stood up. Dumbledore sighed as he wanted this meeting done. He then stated, “Baron Greengrass has the floor.”

Iggy with a head nod stated, “I have two items of note. First a joyous occasion. I formally introduce the return of old blood. I give you Harold Jameson Potter, the Earl Potter!”

Harry stood up resplendent in the plum robes of the Wizengamot. He had the Potter ring glowing potently from his left hand, and a red apprentice badge on his right arm. Considering his age, that was unique itself. Harry calmly strode down the stairs and approached the secretary. While there was much whispering in the hall, Harry handed his credentials to the secretary.

The secretary went through them while Harry returned to the center of the room, looking coldly at Dumbledore. Dumbledore knew he was stuck and had to follow protocol. “Secretary, are Earl Potter’s credentials satisfactory?”

The secretary coughed, “High Warlock, Earl Potter’s credentials are indeed satisfactory. He is ready to take his place among his peers of the Wizengamot.”

Dumbledore winced, “Earl Potter, place your hands on the truth stone and give your oath.”

Harry confidently stepped forward placing his hands on the stone. He then released his magic swamping the room with the vastness of his power. As his eyes burned with a green fire, he intoned “I, Earl Harold Jameson Potter, swear to use my magic for Law and Justice, tempered with Mercy, in all my judgements. I will, to the utmost of my ability, maintain the laws of Hekate and use my magic to support Magical Britain and not my personal goals. So Mote It!”

The secretary then stated, “The truth stone has accepted Earl Potter’s oath, and rated him Full Magus.” The whispering in the room rose in volume. Harry then walked over to an unclaimed box, opened the door, stepped through and closed it again. As he sat down, the front of the box lit with the Shield of Earl Potter.

The secretary then stated, “Wizengamot, I give you your newest member, Earl Potter!” Everyone rose and was clapping. Harry then stood back up and bowed to the bench, to his fellow members on his left and his right, and finally to the audience before sitting back down.

Baron Greengrass was still standing. Dumbledore then stated with a tightly controlled voice, “You said you had two points. Your second one, Baron Greengrass?”

Baron Greengrass smiled a predatory smile, “Let it be known and officially declared, the families of Greengrass and Potter are in formal alliance!”

The Secretary coughed again, “Does the Earl Potter concur?”

Harry then stood up, “The Earl Potter concurs. Let it be known the families of Potter and Greengrass are in formal alliance. Let it also be known that I declare Baron Ignatius Greengrass III, now has full proxy for the Earl Potter, being I am underage and do not have the time with my schooling to properly discharge my duties at the Wizengamot. So Mote it!”

There was much talking and the secretary coughed again. “Does the Baron Greengrass accept this responsibility?”

Iggy still standing, grinned and bowed, “I, the Baron Greengrass swear to uphold the tenants of Earl Potter to the best of my ability while discharging Proxy in his name! So Mote it!”

The secretary then stated, “Let it be known that Baron Greengrass is now the proxy for Earl Potter, and the Potter votes are now transferred to him.” On the Potter box, the Potter shield went dim, indicating the box was now, non-voting.

Dumbledore was furious! The Potter votes taken from him so suddenly and without warning! ’Who orchestrated this? Dammit!’ he screamed in his head.

Not much else of consequence occurred during the meeting, and at the conclusion Harry went over to Iggy and the two were being congratulated by the members of the Wizengamot for their alliance. The only one who didn’t appear surprised was Lord Malfoy who just grinned at the powerful and decisive way they wrested control from Dumbledore. Dedalus Diggle was seriously put out, as no one told him the Potter votes would so callously, be yanked from him.

Dumbledore saw Diggle storming over to Harry. 'Oh No! Harry promised to keep things quiet, but if directly challenged, he can defend himself, Merlin Damn it!'

Chapter Text

Chapter 26

Mister Diggle confronted Harry, “I have discharged the Potter votes for the Light, these last thirteen years! What cause had you to remove me, without even the courtesy, of a by-your-leave?” he demanded abruptly.

Harry looked at him coldly, “Why because you had them illegally! Mister Dumbledore had the Wizengamot seal my parents will, so the Wizengamot would not realize he was never to be my Guardian. Of course, since he then had me tortured by known magic-haters, that should now be apparent to everyone. You Mister Diggle assisted him, and as such, I find you completely unsuitable to represent the Potter Interests! Good day to you!” he said callously turning away.

Diggle yelled, “You have abandoned the Light!”

Harry’s eyes flashed angrily as he turned back and loudly replied, “The Light had me, a child, enslaved and tortured! As they have proven themselves to be cowardly child-abusers, who betrayed the Potters all for some nebulous ‘greater good’, I returned the Potters, to the Grey, where we belong!” he said in ringing tones heard throughout the hall.

The other lords and ladies of the Wizengamot listened to these words, and more than a few of them looked with fury at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore just sat there stone-faced, pretending to not hear any of it. Inside he was fuming as this was going to create problems for a very long time. Dammit!

Augusta Longbottom winced, when she remembered she was the one who orchestrated the sealing of the Potter will…at Dumbledore’s behest. If Lord Potter figured that out…she sighed and realized the Light were in for dark times…pun intended.

Most remembered the Potters had been firmly with the Light for almost a hundred years and now were back with the Grey! What’s worse, it appeared to be a personal Vendetta against the Light, and not just political! It was obvious, some digging was going to occur.

After Diggle’s catastrophic confrontation with Potter, the rest of the Light shied away while most of the Grey and a few of the Dark congratulated Harry on his ascension. Malfoy stood there next to Potter and Greengrass, grinning like a child at Christmas. Minister Fudge was at his side, looking uncertain at the severe change in the landscape. Either way, it was obvious not going to go well for Dumbledore.

Harry finally made it home, and found out Hermione had a private lesson with Master Flitwick, while he was held up in the Wizengamot. This was the first time he missed a lesson, so expected a hard day tomorrow. Ah well. Harry came out into the sitting room. Dan was already gone when he readied for his presentation to the ‘mot, and hadn’t seen him in his Plum Wizengamot robes earlier. He looked up at Harry.

With a nod of approval, he said with appreciation, “Wow…those do look elegant and distinguished. However, your youth does make it look like you are playing dress-up, but you will mature out of that quick enough.” He said with a smile.

Harry smiled back, “It helped my plans today as after taking my position, I immediately handed everything to my Proxy, Baron Greengrass. I was even able to burn Dumbledore as his fake proxy Diggle, took offence to being unceremoniously fired. He challenged my decision so I recited my parents’ wills and my child-abuse as evidence the Light betrayed the Potters. Hence why we are now Grey. It worked out rather nicely. Lord Malfoy was grinning enough to make some question whether he had too much to drink before session. Still, I am glad to be away from that for a few years.”

Hermione heard him come home and came in to greet him. He then turned to Hermione, and hugged her, giving her a kiss on her brow “How was your private with Master?”

She blushed and winced, “It was great as we worked on my control. Expectedly, it ended with a dueling exercise. Even though he used low power stings, being caught with seven stings over the course of 20 minutes of dueling, hurt. He told me I did great, but I’m still too sore to sit comfortably.”

Harry smiled, “Well I need to get out of these robes, so let’s get that bottom taken care of too.”

Hermione just grinned, “You just want to get your hands on me.”

Harry smiled as he replied, “True, but I also want to hear your whimpers of pain turn into moans of pleasure. It’s what made me want to be a healer, after all. Removing your pain provides more pleasure for me than I can describe.” He admitted with a smile.

Dan just shook his head, “I still can’t believe I let a boy play doctor with my daughter, but life is stranger than fiction. Go take care of your woman, Harry.” He lightly ordered with a smile.

Harry had absolutely no problem following that order. With a grin, and a “Yes SIR!” he dragged Hermione upstairs.

They were back downstairs in pajamas after both showered and massaged each other. Hermione was wearing nice long-sleeved bronze colored silk pajamas without footies or a hoodie now. She explained to her mum that being a wife and sleeping with a husband made the small child look, well, a bit embarrassing. Her mum agreed with a grin, and bought her some thick flannel long sleeved pajamas and some wonderful warm soft slippers for the cold winters in the castle, and a couple moderate silk ones for cool, but not cold nights. She also bought Hermione some silk shorties, not much more than loose men’s underwear bottoms and camisole tops for when it was warm enough. Hermione on seeing them grinned with her mother.

Emma said by way of explanation, “Always stay comfortable. Don’t wear something like a teddy, unless Harry is immediately removing it for sex after seeing you in it. They are not comfortable for sleeping, or much of anything else. However, a nice pair of silk shorts or comfortable knickers with a camisole top is comfortable enough to sleep in, but will definitely remind your man why he wants you. Don’t ever sleep bare at school. People could barge in, and them seeing you in panties with a camisole is acceptable, seeing you bare in bed with Harry, is not. Don’t worry about not showing enough. The camisole and panties will keep the fire burning. Not necessary at your age, but remembering your man will never tire of looking at you, is something worth learning now.” Hermione blushed and grinned hugging her.

Hermione cuddling up against Harry on the couch, had Emma grinning about the new pajamas purchases. She wished to see Harry’s reactions to the frisky sets, but Hermione would obviously try those out next spring while still at school.

She then thought about how Hermione winced at dinner trying to sit, but was now cuddling with Harry without favoring her bottom at all. Emma said to Hermione, “That balm sure must be great, you look like the pain is completely gone.”

Hermione grinned, “Yup! All gone! So are the other aches and pains from morning and afternoon workouts. Say! We will have to experiment! If you can get Daddy to swat your bottom for you, try out the bruise balm and see if it makes the sting go away. Don’t use it internally however, I’m told there is a balm for aggressive use of your…well you know, but for obvious reasons I don’t need or have any of that…yet.”

Emma said, “They have balm for…aggressive play?” she asked blushing slightly, but couldn’t hide her obvious hope, as she glanced at Dan. A look Dan studiously ignored in front of the kids.

Harry cuddling Hermione blushed fiercely and just held her tighter. “Yes ma’am. It’s a membrane regenerator laughingly called ‘too much sex’ balm. Just as Bruise balm regenerates muscle and subcutaneous damage, Dittany regenerates cutaneous damage, this is supposed to be just as effective at regenerating mucous membranes and the supporting tissues…like oral, nasal, anal…and vaginal.” He glanced at Hermione, “I intend to have a supply of it available for my 16th birthday. I’m told I am supposed to make my witch walk funny, but see no reason for her to suffer the discomfort necessary for that condition. Besides I don’t want her so uncomfortable, she doesn’t want to continue our…play.”

Dan just glanced over, ignoring the fact they were talking about thoroughly ravaging his daughter “Smart! A smart man wants his woman coming back for more, not impressing his bros. That’s for stupid little boys who don’t play the long game.” Harry nodded and just hugged Hermione harder, while they were both blushing furiously.

The parents were allowing the kids to pick the movie they watched after dinner. They were trading nights to keep it fair. Since they had watched Empire Strikes Back last night, they were watching Pride and Prejudice tonight. Hermione burrowed into Harry and held him tightly. She sighed in her love’s arms, while they watched her favorite movie.

Dan kept sneaking peeks at them and was having trouble with what he was seeing. At their age, Harry and to a lesser extent Hermione, should have wandering hands while cuddling that long…especially watching a romance.

These two were just taking pleasure from holding each other. It’s what you would expect from a serious, possibly engaged, couple in their 20s, who knew each other’s bodies intimately. Considering their virginity, and he saw the evidence from the spell himself, as he was very familiar with teen’s lying about that…he certainly did more than once!

It really didn’t make sense. However, if it kept Hermione from suffering through those pawing/grasping years, where neither had a clue how to pleasure each other, and boys were just trying to get their dick wet, all the better.

Dan just frowned slightly, and turned back to the movie. However, he did keep a weather eye out for exploration…it just never occurred.

Harry was correct about what to expect the next morning. Master Flitwick drove him extra hard. Despite pushing himself until he collapsed utterly exhausted, and unable to move, he was still stung many times. For the first workout ever, he was suffering many more stings than Hermione usually did.

Harry fell to the ground and gasped as a brace of stings burned into his bottom.

Flitwick frowned, “Get back up, we aren’t finished yet.” When Harry was unable to rise quick enough, another brace of three, smacked into his bottom.

Harry let out a “YELP” and forced himself back up, though he was wavering on his feet.

Seeing this, Hermione whined “Master! It wasn’t his fault he wasn’t in training yesterday afternoon. He is trying his hardest! What you are doing, isn’t fair!” ZAP! Flitwick hit her extra hard with half a dozen stings striking her bottom. Hermione SCREECHED! in pain and wailed, “Master!” She immediately started sobbing while rubbing her bottom furiously.

Flitwick just looked at Hermione with disappointment. “We had this talk, daughter. I am allowed to do as I feel necessary, and fair has nothing to do with it! Say something that stupid again, and it will be a full punishment duel for you. In fact, no balming of your bottom until bedtime tonight, for either of you! Understand, daughter?” he instructed with obvious disappointment.

Hermione, unsure and shocked, replied “but…” and saw the furious look in his eyes reappear, daring her to complain about unfairness any more.

Hermione now terrified, whimpered “Yes, sir. I understand and obey.”

Their Master then continued to drive them both hard until the training was over. Hermione found out through an additional sting, that having a sore bottom did not excuse less than full effort during the exercises. She yelped and pushed herself harder, despite crying tears and continuously grimacing.

Once finally done, he had both attempting to stand at attention. Harry grimacing in pain though remaining quiet despite breathing heavy, and Hermione whimpering with tears streaming down her eyes, and unable to stand still.

With both in front of him, Flitwick growled out, “Dumbledore complained to me that you violated your agreement by telling the Wizengamot about the will and your time at the Dursleys. What say you?” he challenged, while looking in Harry’s eyes.

While still at attention, Harry replied slowly. He was obviously trying to ignore his sore body. “Like always, he is both telling the truth and lying through misdirection. During the open session of the ‘mot, I said nothing about those two subjects. It was only at the close when Mr. Diggle, being incensed at losing the Potter proxy, confronted me. He made accusations that removing him was inappropriate, and I explained why I did not think a minion of Dumbledore and the Light represented my interests at all. When he said I betrayed the Light, I defended myself by pointing out how the Light betrayed the Potters, and drove me back to the Grey. That was the whole conversation. He has Diggle to blame, as I certainly would not have brought it up myself, without provocation.”

Flitwick was looking in his eyes through the entire conversation. He liked what he saw. There was no deception or fear there. He glanced at Hermione and frowned. “Hermione, protecting your mate from attacks is laudable when you can successfully do so. Whining ineffectively in a situation where you have little chance of winning, will make both of you just suffer more. It is the act of a foolish and thoughtless child. Don’t do it again, or I will be forced to break you of the habit. Dismissed!” and he walked away.

Hermione just collapsed crying and again rubbing her bottom. Harry, despite his own sore bottom held her tightly while she cried. He could tell, she knew how badly she had screwed up, so there was nothing to gain by further reminding her.

A few minutes later, Emma and Dan came out. They saw Hermione being comforted by Harry, both in obvious pain. Dan was standing there still evaluating the situation, when Emma asked, “I saw Filius leaving. He looked angry and disappointed. What happened?”

Hermione getting her crying under control, answered through hiccups “I complained about him being harsh in his treatment of Harry. He punished me for it, and especially for complaining it wasn’t fair.”

Emma said, “Oh Honey!” while she brushed the few whisps of hair which had escaped her braid.

Dan sighed, he feared it would be something like this. He firmly explained, “That could only elicit one response, Princess. You never complain about your DI’s treatment of you, and complaining about the treatment of another soldier, will usually just get both of you punished more.”

Hermione with tears on her cheeks nodded. “Yes, he stung me harder than he ever has, including the punishment duel, and told both of us no balming until bedtime. This afternoon is going to be horrible…and it’s my fault!” She finished and started sobbing again.

Dan wanted to comfort her, but understood this had to be solved, or the next punishment could be worse. “Princess, what did you learn from this?” he gently but insistently asked.

Hermione just sobbed as she forced out her answers, “To never, complain, that anything, is unfair…complaining, won’t solve, the problem. To never, question, Master Flitwick’s punishments, only, the lessons, he wants us, to learn, from them. But mostly, to never, EVER, start a battle, I have no chance, of winning!” she finished through her sobs.

Harry kissed her on her forehead. “Excellent, Hermione. Keep those lessons close to your heart and we will both, do better. I know you meant well, and my heart swells as no one ever tried to lessen my punishments. No one ever fought for me, sacrificed themselves for me, got themselves hurt for me…certainly not at the Dursleys. Even though the attempt backfired, it means the world to me you tried. I love you so much!” and he hugged her tightly.

Harry then holding her tightly recited, “Raw nerve and blistered heel, forged to be as hard as steel. The drill instructor’s voice of thunder, tearing my old life asunder. I learned to live on less than none, before the rising of the sun. A shell of duty, heart of stone, I survived it all, never alone.”

Hermione had a tight hold of Harry, too. She was so worried he would hate her for getting him punished more. Instead, he was thankful for her attempt, despite it failing. He forgave her! Hermione sighed in relief, then almost pouting, asked “I didn’t recognize that. Who wrote it?”

Harry replied with a large sigh, “No idea. All I know is it was called Iron and Bone and seemed to fit.”

She just held him and cried her failure away. Her bottom was still going to hurt a great deal, but at least the guilt was washing away. Harry forgave her!

Harry helped her up and they both went upstairs to the bathroom. After a few minutes, Harry called out, “Mum, we need your help!”

Emma looked at Dan who shrugged and she went upstairs. She found the two in the shower. Harry was still in his underwear, and with an obvious erection tenting his wet underwear. The cause was readily apparent, as Hermione was bare.

Harry turned to her, “I helped her undress, but she needs someone to wash her…below her waist. I don’t feel it’s appropriate, especially in your house under the current rules. Could you help her?” he asked plaintively.

Emma smiled and started stripping off her clothes. Harry smiled in relief, and asked “Please let me know when the bathroom is available so I can shower, too.” He then turned to leave, and Emma gasped. With his underwear wet, they were near transparent. Emma could see that Harry’s bottom was significantly worse than Hermione’s.

Emma called out, “Harry, your bottom looks bad too. Will you need help with your shower?”

Harry grimaced and tried to be subtle about hiding his erection from her, “I…appreciate the offer, but fear the treatment may be worse than the disease.” He said embarrassingly.

She was now in bra and removing her skirt. He glanced at her newly uncovered body, and back to her eyes, “I don’t want to respond to your beauty, though it is gratifying to see just how beautiful Hermione will grow to become. Thank you for the offer.” And he bolted, hoping he didn’t cum before getting to his room.

Emma smiled. She knew it was natural, but as the mother of teenagers, it was gratifying to see her body still elicited that response from a young and beautiful man. She then finished undressing, and joined Hermione in the shower helping her wash. Once she had dried Hermione, she had her lay on her bed face down, with a bolster under her hips elevating her bottom in the air. She then placed an ointment on her bottom. Not balm as that was disallowed, but there were mundane sting and burn creams which would help somewhat.

After squealing as the cream was placed, Hermione sighed as it took effect. She soon fell asleep and Emma covered her legs and back, leaving nothing touching her bottom, and upper thighs.

Emmy noticed both uniforms, and the mess in the bathroom, was already gone. She smiled to herself. The elves have already taken them away, and were keeping the house and yard cleaner and nicer than she had ever seen it. She hated to admit it, but she was going to miss the elves when the two went back to school.

Emma then dressed, and went to Harry’s room. Instead of just entering, she knocked. She didn’t want to interrupt him dealing with seeing her in her underwear, but figured he should be done by now.

Harry invited her in and Emma peeked her head in, “The shower is available. I spread an anti-sting ointment on Hermione, and she is sleeping on her bed after the stressful morning.” Harry nodded in thanks and went to clean up himself.

Harry after showering, lay partially on his bed, laying on it with his legs hanging off to ease the pain in his bottom. He continued to study the second healing tome. He now had four balls in the air orbiting while he was studying. Between the fascinating material in the book, and his mental exercise with the balls, he was able to ignore the throbbing from his bottom…mostly. A few minutes after he started, there was another knock at the door, but this time Mum came right in.

Harry gasped “Mum!”, as he hadn’t put on anything other than a t-shirt. His bottom hurt too much. He was laying with his legs off the side of the bed, his bottom bare. He immediately snapped his legs together to protect his modesty, and hissed when the rapid movement, aggravated his bottom. The balls thumped as they hit the ground. Mum came right over and looked at him.

“As I thought,” she said, “You could use some anti-sting cream too. Scoot up on the bed, dear.”

Harry whined, “Muuuum!”

Emma sternly said, “Now Harry. I’m a doctor too, so get your butt up on the bed, before I smack it myself.” Harry scooted forward until his bottom was up on the bed. Emma then smeared the ointment on him which did lessen the sting a great deal. He had gasped as she started, but sighed in relief, and relaxed as Mum rubbed the ointment into his bottom. He was enjoying the relief too much, to care about her fingers rubbing ointment into his inner thighs.

Once done she pulled Harry’s t-shirt down over much of his bottom, kissed him on his forehead, and said, ‘’Lunch will be at 1pm. You both will eat as you will need your energy to survive Master Flitwick this afternoon. I expect he will still be in a mood, but I know you will get through it. Love you.”

Harry sighed, “Love you too, Mum. Thanks.” He said gratefully.

Emma smiled and said, “Your welcome. Remember, 1pm.” Using that Mum voice which brooked no disobedience.

During lunch at Hogwarts, Dumbledore asked coldly, “Have you dealt with your apprentices and the trouble they caused me?”

Flitwick glared at him, “When I left them this morning, Harry was grimacing in pain, and Hermione was sobbing after being punished for daring to interfere. Both intimately understood the price for angering me this way again. Satisfied?” he asked bitterly.

Dumbledore nodded his acceptance, and wondered if he could get them to hate their master. There may be a way to wrest them away from Filius.

Filius rigidly controlled his thoughts and emotions. He knew how skilled at Legilimency Albus was, so made sure everything said was the truth…just not the whole truth. It was interesting that despite his skills at reading, he wasn’t so good at hiding his expressions. It was obvious what Albus was thinking. ’Wrest them away from me indeed.’ Filius thought.

Chapter Text

Chapter 27

At 1pm Harry was up and put on a clean uniform for 3pm discipline. He came over to Hermione’s room and knocked. There was no answer, he knocked louder. After a few seconds he opened the door. Hermione had her bare bottom in the air propped up and was sleeping.

Harry yelled, “Hermione! Wake up!”

Hermione grumbled and shifted a little, but didn’t really move.

“Dammit Hermione, I’m not allowed in your room, don’t make me sting that beautiful but easy target right in front of me! HERMIONE!” Harry yelled again in frustration.

At this point Dan was listening downstairs with a grin, “Well at least you know he considers not entering her room, a serious rule. Go rescue your daughter, I don’t think any of us want to hear the drama, Harry stinging that sore bottom, will cause.”

Emma raced up the stairs, to head off Armageddon.

“Harry!” she called out, seeing him, with his wand in hand. “I’ll wake her, and get her dressed. Go down stairs!” she ordered.

Harry sighed, sheathing his wand. Obviously irritated, he replied “Yes Mum,” before he stomped down the stairs.

Emma sighed at Harry acting like a teenager for once, and went in to see Hermione. She thought about smacking that bottom up in the air, but decided to just pull off the blankets.

Hermione only grumbled, and reached for the blankets to pull them back up.

With a frown, Emma changed her mind, and gave Hermione’s bottom a sharp smack.

Hermione’s eyes shot open and she gasped, she then glared at her mother, “That hurt!” she loudly complained.

Emma just looked at her, continuing to frown, “You refused to get up. Be happy, Harry was seconds from stinging your bottom as he couldn’t enter the room. Evidently, shooting you from outside isn’t against the rules…yet.” Emma continued to look at her. “I expect you downstairs for lunch in five minutes. Dress is optional though I don’t think your father will like you being bare around your fiancé/husband, just yet. Still your call though. Remember 5 minutes.” And she left, still frowning.

Hermione grumbled and decided to get her uniform on as spending the next two hours getting used to it could make things slightly easier, later. Ten minutes later, she came downstairs, and wincingly sat down to lunch, pouting.

Harry just looked at her, “Hermione, I know you wanted me to wake you up, but your mother has forbidden me from entering your room. It’s a good idea, as every woman should have a space, where she can feel safe.”

Hermione frowned, “I don’t need to get away from you.” She insisted.

Harry smiled, “I appreciate that, and I will do my best to never give you a reason to want or need to leave me. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have the option.” He stated firmly.

Dan nodded in agreement and said, “Like safe-words. You won’t necessarily use them, but should always have them.”

Harry turned to Dan, looking puzzled, “Safe-words?”

Dan winced slightly, “We will talk about it later. It’s something you must know for the sake of your relationship, but not quite meal-time conversation. Anyway, I want you both eating a full meal. You are going to be worked hard this afternoon, and I want you ready for it. Never enter combat on an empty stomach if it can be avoided.” He preached.

Harry smiled, “Yes sir!” and started eating the casserole Emma had made. He took a bite and grunted in appreciation, “This is really good! I need the recipe.” He said, eating quickly.

Emma smiled and nodded.

Hermione glanced at the two of them, huffed and crossed her arms, “I’m not hungry,” she mumbled.

Harry looked at her, “Are you really doing this now? With an already sore bottom?” he asked disbelievingly.

Hermione replied mulishly, “Doing what? It isn’t like you can do anything about it, remember?” she challenged, “You are afraid to spank me.” She finished cattily.

Harry, suddenly very hurt, just looked at Hermione, “You are my life. I don’t want to hurt you. I can’t.” he said remorsefully.

Emma shook her head, and yelled angrily “Stop this! You are both too young for sex. Well guess what! You are also too young for any sort of domestic discipline!” Looking in Hermione’s eyes, “I get you feel guilty about Harry being punished more. You screwed up! It happens! Having him spank your bottom may make you feel less guilty, but what will it do to him?” she insisted angrily.

Hermione looked dismayed. Emma continued, “That’s right! You want Harry to hurt you, to make up for you causing him pain. Well, guess what? All you are doing is causing Harry even more pain!”

Hermione started crying and looked guilty at Harry. Harry was looking at her hurt and unsure what to do.

Emma continued, “You are still children! You both, certainly proved that today! There is a reason, relationships don’t last at your age. You aren’t mature enough to deal with the subtleties and complexities without screwing it up.”

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, and her mother cut her off, “I know your situation is unique in that you feel each other’s emotional and physical, both pain and pleasure. Well, why don’t you stop feeling sorry for yourself, and realize what you are doing to Harry!” she snapped out.

Hermione paused and thought for a second. You could see the moment when she cut through her self-recrimination and let Harry’s feelings in. Suddenly her eyes grew wide and her mouth started quivering. She launched herself into Harry’s arms begging, “Oh Harry! I’m so sorry! I was so upset about what I caused, that I wasn’t feeling what I was doing to you now! Please forgive me! Please!” she begged while she squeezed him tightly, with tears flowing from her eyes.

Harry just held her, rocking her, all his anger forgotten. “Shhh Hermione! I still love you. I will ALWAYS love you. I understand your need to use pain to wash guilt away, I really do. I can feel it thanks to the Potter Foible. I’m just not ready to do that for you, any more than I’m ready to make love to you. Someday, I expect to spank you red, and then make athletic jungle sex with you, but I fear that is a long time in the future.”

Harry then looked in her eyes, “Please don’t try to make me do this again. Just as you made it clear, you don’t want me to ask you to suck my cock, I don’t want you to ask me to spank you, yet. OK?”

Dan just quietly groaned. He really didn’t need to hear this, even if Harry was the one dealing with this much better than Hermione. Dan cleared his throat getting both to look at him, “Harry is right, Princess. He is too young to deal with the pain, caused by spanking someone you love. Do you honestly think your mother or I enjoyed spanking you when necessary? Quite the opposite, I assure you. Now, if your mother or I believe a spanking will help you learn or deal with your problem, we will be the ones providing that service, for a good few years, yet.”

Hermione demurely replied, “Yes, Daddy.”

He smiled at her then with a slight frown of warning, ordered, “Now eat Princess, unless you really have your heart set on a more painful bottom.”

Hermione grimaced and blushed in embarrassment, but she shook her head, and started eating her casserole. It really was good.

After lunch, Harry felt that re-bonding with his witch, was more important than another hour of studying, so took Hermione to the couch and they cuddled until Master Flitwick arrived. By three, the two were feeling much better about things and ready for another class.

When Master Flitwick arrived, they all ran outside like usual and started immediately on their control exercises. Harry and Hermione were doing well and reviewed their combat spells. Today, they were asked to perform all the 1st and 2nd year charms. Both did a good job, with Hermione just whispering the spell with wand motion and Harry silent and point casting as usual. They then worked on dueling, and Harry was brutal. After taking Hermione out three times, Flitwick stood against him. He lost, but Flitwick had to work for it, at least for a few minutes. Filius was most satisfied.

“Good…it’s good to see my apprentices performing again like they should. This morning is forgotten. Go balm your bottoms. Dismissed!” he ordered with a smile.

Hermione launched herself into Flitwick's arms for a hug, and he patted her back for a few seconds before saying, “Go.” And with a smile, she ran for the showers. Harry looked at Flitwick, and thumped his chest in Duende salute with a cold smile. Flitwick returned the salute, then jerked his head, obviously meaning ‘get going,’ and Harry ran off.

While the kids were showering Flitwick stopped by the parents. “Whatever you did, worked. They were over this morning’s foolishness.”

Dan smiled, “Just reminded them what matters. Each other. Once they remembered that, they fixed the problem themselves. They are still children and need occasional direction.”

Flitwick nodded with a hard smile, “Truer words were never spoken. Tomorrow then,” and he left.

The rest of vacation went well, with no more earth-shattering issues.

Soon it was time to return to school. Both parents couldn’t review any of their magical education, but insisted on reviewing their mundane education. Both were gratified the two of them were well on their way to qualifying for their GCSEs. They had been promised that their mundane education wouldn’t suffer, and it didn’t appear it was.

Both Harry and Hermione had transferred everything to their apprentice trunks. They shrunk them and put them in their pockets as well. At the arch, they said goodbye to their parents. Harry hugged his Mum and Dad getting emotional hugs in return. Hermione did the same.

Dan looked at Harry with a smile, and finished “Last time we said goodbye here, you promised to protect my princess. You did not disappoint. Now she is your queen, and I know I don’t have to ask any such thing.” He then placed his fist over his heart, adopting the Duende warrior salute “Strength and Honor, my son.” He said with obvious pride and love.

Harry then came to rigid attention and saluted him back with a grin, “Blood and Magic, Pop,” and he held out his arm for a warriors grasp which Dan clasped with enthusiasm. Harry then turned to Hermione with a smile, “Come, Mine. It’s time,” and they went through the arch.

The train ride back was fun, as Hermione enjoyed talking with Padma. Padma screamed at seeing the Countess Potter ring on her finger. The two then went on review, presenting Countess Potter to the other ladies on the train, with Padma acting as her lady-in-waiting.

Harry just shook his head, and used the time to study like a fiend. He really wanted that healing apprenticeship. Malfoy stopped by for a few minutes, and gave Harry a quick guide on what to do and not do, to earn his mother’s ire during lessons. Harry listened carefully, and winced. He realized Hermione’s review could easily earn Lady Malfoy’s ire, if she presented herself wrong. He shrugged, and realized it was too late now. Harry returned to his studying.

Soon they were back at Hogwarts, and it was the welcoming feast of the new term. Harry and Hermione had acquired the more expensive cut Hogwarts robes used by the nobility with the stitching of an Earl and Countess added in. Aunt Cissa had insisted. With their rings of rank and marriage, and their apprentice badges, they stood out even amongst the nobles.

Harry and Hermione walked up the center of the hall to the head table. They only stopped when they were across from their Master. The entire hall quieted to see the presentation of apprentices…something they had heard of, but hadn’t witnessed during any student’s time at the school.

in full regalia of an Earl and Countess, both bowed and curtseyed to him deeply, in greeting.

Flitwick with a smile nodded to the respect, and they went to the Ravenclaw table. It made it very obvious; there were no other apprentices currently at Hogwarts. A shame really as there were six masters who should have at least one each.

Harry seated his wife next to him, and both were being watched carefully by the other students. After Hermione’s review, all of the classmates, well the ones who didn’t go home, knew they were now magically married. They were hit with over a dozen virginity charms, but both knowing it was going to happen, ignored it.

Flitwick however, did not. He stood up and frowned at the student body, with a withering glance at a few professors, who were also indiscrete. With an active soronus, he addressed the hall, “Earl and Countess Potter are now married. They are also my apprentices. We all know the law. However, it is not the place of any here but myself and Master Pomfrey, to monitor their adherence to that law. The next witch or wizard who casts that charm on them, will answer to me in a duel. I will make it hurt more than you have experienced, or will wish to experience, ever again. Last warning.” He then sat back down.

Harry and Hermione rose again looking their master’s direction. They bowed and curtseyed once more, receiving a head nod in return. They then sat back down. The other senior professors were a bit grouchy with the pomp of it all. It really showed how they didn’t have apprentices of their own…and they should.

After a few minutes, Snape looked at Flitwick with an irritated frown. “I haven’t had a student I would waste my time on as my apprentice; in the five years I felt qualified to teach one. You grabbed the two with the most potential, though there are some who with a bit more maturity, could possibly qualify.”

Flitwick looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “Cultivate the potentials, and test them harshly. It worked for me.”

Snape thought for a minute and nodded to the truth of it. Flitwick could hardly be called out for rushing things, when he did give them a provisional apprenticeship first, and he did indeed, test them harshly.

The feast was fun in getting to talk to their friends. Harry was talking to Anthony, when Donna yelled from down the table, “Hawk!” Everyone turned to look her direction, including Harry. “Madam Hooch has changed the rules for you. In the rest of the games this year, she will release the snitch 30 seconds early before allowing the game to start. We are hoping the Snitch gets away from you so we get to play too.” Harry grinned and nodded his head.

When it was time for going to bed, Harry and Hermione were nervous. They both went up the boy’s side to Harry’s room. Hermione gave a great sigh of relief, at seeing the extra door still present. She opened it and walked into her room. Everything was as she would place it. Everything. She placed her apprentice trunk, standing up in the corner, next to the desk, so rarely used.

She then called out “Trixie! Are you here?”

Trixie appeared, “Yes Lady Potter. How can I serve?”

Hermione looked worried, “Is it allowed for you to serve here?”

Trixie frowned, “You are my Lady and none may say otherwise! Yes! A countess is allowed her servants at school! I will allow no other elves in your quarters. I will help you!”

Hermione bent down and hugged her, “Thank you Trixie! I know I can trust you to care for Harry and I.”

She frowned again, “I care for you!” She paused for a second and blushed, “Though if you earn your Lords ire, and he spanks your bottom, I won’t be able to help you heal it, if he forbids me doing so. Sorry.”

Hermione glanced up and saw Harry standing in the doorway in his massage pouch, and grinning at her. He had been listening. Harry answered, “If I am able to force myself to spank my wife, I doubt she will want you to remove the sting…she worked so very hard to earn. Don’t worry Trixie.”

Hermione blushed and looked down with a smile. She was obvious in her lack of denial.

Harry paused for a second, “Oh, Tippy? Trixie?” and Tippy appeared as well. “We appreciate your help, but want you to be discrete about it. Try not to appear where others may see you. OK?”

Tippy nodded his head and Trixie curtseyed, “Yes Lord Potter!” and they popped away.

Hermione, still blushing at the idea of ‘working hard to earn’ a spanking, immediately changed into her massage knickers and joined Harry. She quickly looked around…still a bit gun-shy after being caught by Richard that time. She looked at Harry in his pouch, and Hermione grinned, as it really was only a pouch to give the illusion of modesty for his genitals…not much worse than hers at showing her anatomy, for that matter. She then grinned more, as its only real accomplishment was keeping him from being hard. She…wasn’t ready to deal with that yet…but soon.

As Harry went over to the table to ready it for massages, she came up to him, and hugged him from behind. Harry reached over his head, and pulled her in for a kiss, enjoying her nipples hardening on his back. Hermione broke away with a blush, as she felt him enjoying her nipples harden against him. Evidently her knickers kept her from getting seriously wet, but the secondary responses to arousal, like hard nipples were allowed to occur.

“All right my love. Let’s get our massages done as we have a full day tomorrow, staring with physical discipline.” Harry sighed and went to lie down on the bench. Hermione then massaged him skilfully while staying away from pertinent anatomy.

Harry then lifted Hermione onto the table, and massaged her too. Once done, Harry sent Hermione back to her room, with a light swat on her bottom, causing her to twitch it at him with a giggle. He then took off his massage pouch and immediately became insistently hard.

’Dammit the bathroom is too far away. Arrrg’ as he came with barely a tug. He could tell he was staying hard and needing another release, so quickly used his spend as lubricant to help him climax a second time. After coming again, he finally felt his penis soften a bit. Harry sighed, and immediately grabbed a dirty shirt from the hamper to wipe himself clean, with a second sigh. Harry then turned around to see Hermione quietly getting into bed…pretending to ignore his needs.

Harry quickly went over to his own apprentice trunk, and pulled out some pajamas, putting them on. He then went to bed cuddling his wife. Once he had her in his arms, he quietly said, “Thank you for pretending to ignore me while I took care of that.”

Hermione just kissed him lightly on the lips. “Just remember to pretend to ignore me while I figure out how to get off myself. It is trickier for us witches.”

Harry sighed again, “I know we are waiting, so don’t take this as pressure to shorten that. However, being able to feel what you feel, I know I could help you achieve release…just as you could make mine…much more intense. I am just stating a fact, not making a judgement, as I think we proved this holiday, we are unspeakably immature, and need to be careful before we move things any further along.”

Hermione giggled, “yeah…if Master hadn’t already made our bottoms sore, I think mother would have bent us both over the dining room table. She was seriously irritated with us.”

Harry snorted and looked in Hermione's eyes with amusement, “With you dear. Seriously irritated with you.”

Hermione with a grin, and a blush, nodded. She just snuggled in to Harry who giggled at her ‘bad girl’ routine. He thought to himself, ’She really enjoys being a brat. Unfortunately, it will be a while yet, before I dare even give her a light spanking. Ah well, it seems the operative word of puberty is frustration.’ and he went to sleep holding his love.

Chapter Text

Chapter 28

The next morning physical discipline felt like coming home. The only difference is they wore their weights, bracers and vests. Flitwick said nothing about this and they took off on the run. There weren’t any who had earned punishment, so there were only a few of the students who intermittently joined. Flitwick and his two apprentices left them far behind. Hermione felt great about how much she had improved over the last four months. It was obvious these other students hadn’t kept it up over the holidays and it cost them.

By the time the others caught up Harry and Hermione were finishing their calisthenics, and ready to move onto the Obstacle course. They both removed their bracers and vests for the Obstacle Course. Flitwick smiled and dropped his hand with the two taking off. Both were ecstatic, as Harry now was getting competitive on three and had completed seven of the twelve. Hermione finished with a big grin; she had completed five!

While the others finished the course, Harry and Hermione were already throwing punches and kicks with vicious abandon. Hermione caught him with that same uppercut, but this time dropped and swept him dropping Harry to his back. She jumped on him a bit too hard, and Harry caught and spun her using her own momentum getting her in a reverse choke. She tapped out with a growl.

“Dammit! I was too enthusiastic, and you used my energy against me!” Harry smiled with a nod and waved her to come on again. They fought for another 15 minutes and this was a new record. No stings and they were an hour in. Flitwick with a grin threw their sparing staffs at them. Both caught them and came on guard. “Five strikes, fight”

Harry came in hard tagging her three times, continuing to drive her back. She tried to spear him and he spun out of the way coming back at another angle. A minute later he had won five to one. Hermione just growled, “Again!”

Flitwick shrugged “Five strikes, fight”

Harry took her out five to two this time and Hermione threw down her staff in frustration. Harry said, “Hermione! Kneel and meditate. Your aggressiveness worked earlier, but you need to center yourself now. You are too energetic. Too agitated. Center yourself!”

Hermione glared at him and glanced at Fiitwick. He raised an eyebrow, and she realized he was considering a sting. Hermione huffed, and plopped down kneeling with her eyes closed. After a minute she was calmer. Harry then said, “Open your eyes, pick up your staff and come on guard.”

Hermione trying to maintain her calm did so. Flitwick yelled, “Seven strikes, fight!” Hermione kept herself centered and waited. Harry waited a few seconds and came in hard and fast. Hermione spun away catching him with a riposte to his knee and a counter to his elbow. She kept spinning and after three minutes won seven to four. “Halt! What did you learn, daughter?” Flitwick asked.

“That Harry is a much better fighter.” Zap! “Ouch! Master, I was joking!” she whined.

Flitwick smirked, “I know, that’s why I didn’t sting you hard. Now answer the question properly.”

Hermione with a slight pout, “Staying centered and not emotional makes skilled fighting much easier. Before Harry had me center, my thoughts were all over the place. Once he had me center, I was able to organize my thoughts and see the fight clearly. Still, I wasn’t kidding master. If Harry centers himself and decides to destroy me, there would be little I could do to stop him.”

Flitwick looked at her with a question in his eyes, “What makes you say this?”

Hermione with an apologetic look at Harry turned back to her master, “I can feel his magic master. He has learned how to use his magic to reinforce his body. He is just afraid to do so because he doesn’t want to harm me. Fight him master, see what he is becoming.”

Harry looked at Hermione. At first he looked upset, but then he looked embarrassed. It was obvious he was protecting Hermione from something.

Flitwick looked at Harry as he pulled his own staff and came on guard in front of him. “Show me. Seven strikes, fight.”

Harry then released his magic and swamped the school while his eyes glowed green, before he pulled his magic back into his body. Despite the magic no longer swamping the place, it was still obviously present, though restrained. However, Harry’s eyes were glowing a cold green as he looked at Flitwick like a leopard locked on prey. He then moved and struck.

Flitwick barely got his staff in the way and he felt the blow in his bones. ’Such strength!’ He countered and Harry just ducked the blow and swung in again, WHAM! Flitwick grit his teeth as Harry hit him in the side. The amount of strength needed to override the safety charms on that staff… Time to change patterns.

Flitwick started deflecting instead of blocking, and then counter-attacking. Still, he was only able to get through the speed Harry showed half the time. Finally, it was over seven to four Flitwick. “Halt! When did you learn this?” he demanded.

The heavy feeling of magic faded away as Harry’s eyes returned to normal. Harry sheepishly said, “Yoda master. I was watching Empire Strikes back with my new family. Yoda was training Luke in the swamp and Luke started using the force to reinforce his body. To jump, increase his speed and strength, to replenish his energy. It all clicked.” He sheepishly admitted.

Flitwick just looked at him. “Come with me,” and he walked back to the obstacle course. “Use the force, Harry. Defeat this course.” He coldly ordered.

Harry just looked at him and nodded. He again released his magic before pulling it into his body again. The feeling of magic under the surface was back, and Harry’s eyes were glowing that cold green again, as he let his magic saturate his body. Once ready he nodded.

Flitwick yelled “Go” and Harry took off. What happened next was ridiculous. Harry was racing through the course having done 6 obstacles in record time, before he slipped and slammed into a post, sliding to the ground stunned.

Flitwick quickly went over to him and saw Harry try to stand back up before falling back down. He told Harry to stay down and quickly immobilized him, before taking him to the infirmary.

Once in the infirmary, madam Pomfrey came over, “What happened?” Harry was lying there unconscious.

Flitwick said, “He was physically forcing himself with his magic. He had recently figured it out and wanted to show it to me. This was the result.” He admitted.

Pomphrey huffed and quickly stripped him. She then examined him and scanned Harry. “He has tears in most of his muscles. There is also damage to his tendons and joints, and some microfractures in different bones. He pushed his body way past what it can safely do. He will be in the hospital for the next two days, on bedrest and a potion regimen. He will be fine after that, but I suggest no more of this ‘forcing’ until you understand it better.” She curtly explained.

Flitwick nodded, “Yes Poppy. I know an Adeptus in the East who uses such skills. I will contact him about how to do this safely…if possible.”

Hermione came forward and grabbed Harry’s hand. Poppy just huffed and conjured a sick gown on Harry.

Hermione ignored it and asked Poppy, “He will heal? He didn’t permanently do damage to his body or magic?” she asked with obvious fear and concern in her voice.

Poppy replied consolingly, “No, he will be fine. It will take time to heal the damage, but in two days he will be recovered. He will be back to working out in the mornings then.”

Hermione brushed the hair out of Harry’s eyes and just said, "Oh Harry.” Watching him sleep.

She turned back to Poppy, “When will he awaken?”

Poppy replied, “In a few hours, he will be awake.”

Flitwick shook his head. “Hermione! Go shower and go to class. Dismissed!”

Hermione looked at Master Flitwick, “but”

Flitwick with a frown said, “Now Daughter, unless you wish to duel over it.”

Hermione stood up to attention, “No sir. Sorry sir!” and she ran off.

Flitwick turned to her, “Let her know when she sneaks back in here, that I said if she missed any classes, it’s a punishment duel for her. She is allowed to study with Harry here, but not miss class, including afternoon discipline at 3.” He said with humor in his eyes.

Poppy smiled, “I will be sure to let her know.”

Hermione was joined by Padma who knew when she was usually done with morning discipline, so would be in the shower. Predictable, to the minute, usually. Padma asked, “Ready for another term of boring classes which aren’t challenging?”

Hermione sighed, “Yes, it will be a problem which may grow as things move forward. Honestly, I wonder if Master will have us jump years. We are already learning 3rd year charms, 6th year transfiguration, and DADA and Magical theory who actually knows. Really Potions, Herbology, Astronomy, Dancing, Comportment, and GCSE are the courses we are still with the class. HOM is self-study. I just don’t know. If I had my choice, I would stay in our year to take those four with you and independent the others.”

Padma replied, “Well, we start with DADA today, so more pointless Garlic smelling hair,” and they both giggled. Hermione’s face then clouded over.

Padma asked, “What’s wrong?”

Hermione replied, “Harry injured himself this morning. He is in the infirmary for the next two days. I want to stay with him instead of this pointless class, but I’m sure if I try, Master will make me regret it.” She said ruefully.

Padma winced, “sometimes I envy you, but then I realize you get his negative attention with his positive attention, and I’m not sure I could survive it, much less enjoy it.” She admitted.

Hermione grimaced, “He has his moments, but we are learning so much. Let’s dress and get to breakfast.” Hermione stopped off after breakfast with Harry’s Favorite foods.

Poppy smiled and then repeated Master Flitwick’s words for her. Hermione grimaced and realized her master knew her very well. Time to go to class. This was not worth a punishment duel…especially since he might bar her from visiting Harry as punishment too. Besides he did say to study with Harry. Hermione then grinned when she realized that. Master really did understand her.

DADA was just as pointless as Hermione remembered. Soon it was time for lunch. She knew her Master would punish her if she skipped lunch. Hermione sighed, and thought to herself, ’Maybe there is a way I can have meals with Harry…’ and she sighed again before sitting down to eat quickly.

After eating, Hermione was about to leave and visit Harry when the orange disposal made an appearance.

Ron sauntered up and said, “What is this I hear about Harry running into a post? He ran into a post bad enough to end up in the infirmary? What an idiot!” he crowed while laughing loudly.

Hermione was already out of sorts with Harry hurt. She knew she shouldn’t do it, but couldn’t help herself.

Suddenly there was a spike of magic and Hermione’s eyes started softly glowing. She turned to Ron with a glare. Everyone in the room felt her spike of magic, so the room had quieted almost immediately. Because of this, many heard her soft but furious words, “Mr. Weasley, you are insulting my Lord and Husband. I suggest you vacate the area immediately lest I lose control and you feel my ire…last warning.” She said coldly.

Padma gasped and many at the table looked at Hermione with worry. They all knew what those two words meant from Master Flitwick, and if she followed her Master…

Ron snorted, “What are you going to do, I YOUCH! AAAHHH!” as he suddenly screamed.

With still blazing eyes, Hermione had flicked her fingers. She didn’t even have her wand in hand. Half-a-dozen sting hexes flew from her fingers, arced around, and burned into Ron’s bottom, with intent.

Hermione growled, “Run…now!” as she raised her hand again, with sparks jumping from one finger to another. Ron bolted out of the room holding his bottom and sobbing pitifully.

Hermione reigned in her magic and returned to her meal.

At that time Master Snape arrived behind her. “Lady Hermione…did you just hex a student?” he asked with no real emotion. Ron wasn’t exactly his favorite student either.

Hermione wiped her face and rose. With a slight curtsey she answered, “Accidental magic, sir.” She then popped her wand and handed it to Master Snape. “Please check my wand, you will see my last spell was that ridiculous dancing charm from DADA. No stings since I duelled last night.”

Snape cast Priori and got the results Hermione described. He smirked and handed the wand back. “Just so, Lady Hermione. Please try to control your emotions. I know you are a first-year so accidental magic is fairly common, but do your best to work on eliminating it.”

Hermione curtseyed, “Yes Master Snape, I will do so. Thank you.”

With a knowing grin, he moved back to the head table. While standing, she saw Master Flitwick watching, but he didn’t approach. It was obvious he wished to see how she dealt with the situation. She then curtseyed to her master, and with a Duende grin, he nodded back. She then gathered her stuff and returned to Harry.

The entire student body noted how Hermione cast wandless silent sting-hexes…a group of them and targeted…just like Master Flitwick! They weren’t sure how she was able to do it, but one thing they all agreed on, it wasn’t accidental magic!

Afternoon Herbology was fine, and Hermione made sure Master Sprout was aware Harry was in the infirmary and she would collect her assignments for him. Sprout agreed.

After afternoon discipline, where her master did give her a strong sting hex for her ‘loss of control at lunch’, both Master Flitwick and Hermione went to visit Harry.

He was sitting up in bed and reading. Hermione went over and sat on the bed next to him, with a slight wince.

Harry noticed her discomfort, and asked, “Rough class?”

Hermione with a quick glance at her master replied, “Some appropriate discipline for making a scene during lunch. I will tell you about it, when you balm me later. Anyway, how are you doing?”

Harry wanted to ask about lunch now, but it was obvious neither Hermione nor Master Flitwick wished to discuss it together, so he tabled that talk for later. “Everything hurts, so I can’t really move much. I don’t want to make it worse. Anyway, it gives me a chance to study and I am almost done reading the second tome and will be reading the third. So far, the information is self-explanatory, but I expect extrapolating it onto actual patients will have its own pitfalls.”

Poppy just snorted in obvious agreement. Flitwick then pulled out a package. “The Headmaster gave me this. More like he was warned by Grokt Blood-Axe to return it or else.”

Harry asked, “What is it?”

Flitwick replied, “It’s an invisibility cloak, strangely it’s a family heirloom. I say strange because these only last 10 years at the most, as the Demiguise fur breaks down by then. Yet this one is supposed to be hundreds of years old.”

Hermione stopped Harry from grabbing it. “Have you had the curse-breakers go over it thoroughly, Master? The headmaster may have left a present, or damaged it some way.”

Flitwick immediately started wrapping it back up, “Excellent deduction, daughter. Way to think like a proper Duende battle-maiden. I will have a team examine this very carefully before returning it to you.” And he left with the cloak.

Hermione looked at Harry worriedly, but Harry just hugged her. “Thank you! It didn’t even occur to me to worry about that, but once you mentioned it, the risk was obvious.”

Hermione still looking worried, “But-“

Harry interrupted, “but nothing…and no I’m not swatting your bottom, so don’t ask. You protected me, and before you fish for other reasons to get a sore bottom, I’m not angry about you telling Master Flitwick about my magic enhancement. I wasn’t sure when to tell him, so am actually happy you did it when you did. Hopefully he will contact an Adeptus who will tell him how to move ahead safely, and how to avoid this happening again.”

Hermione then cuddled into him. “I love you, Harry.”

Harry smiled hugging her back, “I love you too, Hermione. Now bare your bottom and get across my lap.”

Harry saw her eyes dilate at that command and she became visibly excited as her breath and pulse quickened. He smirked, “I need to balm your bottom.”

Hermione glared at him, “Not funny Harry.” and she glanced to verify Pomfrey was out of hearing, “One of my most vivid wet-dreams starts that way…and you aren’t about to balm my bottom!” she whispered forcefully.

Hermione removed her robe and put it on a chair. She then turned away from Harry looking over her shoulder at him with a smirk. Bending over, she slowly lowered her knickers from under her skirt, while wiggling her bottom at him.

She grinned when Harry developed an obvious tent under the blanket that he was forced to adjust.

Still grinning, Hermione crawled over Harry’s lap, and purposefully rubbed his erection a bit before settling down over him. Harry flipped up her skirt and saw multiple stings on her. One was a serious one.

Harry thought for a second, and brought his hand down with a hard slap, right over the bad sting. SMACK!
“Youch! Harrry.” Hermione jumped in surprise, then whined and settled back in.

Harry then started rubbing the balm into her bottom and asked, “So…now that Master is gone, what happened at Lunch?”

Hermione was almost purring at him rubbing her bottom while over his lap. She so wanted this to be more official…someday soon.

When she didn’t say anything, Harry lightly spanked her bottom, again. “Hermione?” and continued rubbing the balm in.

Hermione startled at the light smack, but just groaned and settled in again. “I discovered how to wandless sting-hex…by blasting a half-dozen into Mr. Weasley’s bottom.” She admitted with a grin.

Harry laughed, “Oh I would have loved to see that! Why was Master pretending he didn’t know?”

Hermione continued, “I was immediately interrogated by Master Snape. I claimed accidental magic…so was lightly punished during afternoon discipline for losing control. Master is pretending he believed the story. If he officially hears a confession that I purposefully sting-hexed a student in the great hall, he would have to officially respond to it…and my punishment would hurt…a lot.”

Harry laughed again, “I assume it was about my mishap. Please don’t get in trouble on my account, Hermione. I don’t want to witness you getting another punishment duel.” He had finished balming her bottom, and was just rubbing it now.

Hermione got off Harry. There was little point in reminding him, it was going to happen again. They both knew it. Instead, Hermione decided to deal with a more acute problem. She was seriously wet. She had removed herself from his lap and stood up on the side of the bed. While looking at Harry, she lifted the front of her skirt, grabbed a corner of his sheet, and wiped the excess slick off herself, before putting her knickers back on.

Harry glanced at the wet corner, and looking in her eyes, brought it to his nose taking a deep sniff. Suddenly he looked surprised and jerked a few times as he groaned. Harry covered his face in embarrassment and uncovered himself. He had just come! Harry shook his head, wiped himself, and then scorgified the area she made wet as well as his own mess.

Harry calmly covered himself back up and just looked at Hermione who was blushing furiously with a big grin too. Harry then sighed, “That…was surprising, but honestly very pleasurable. Thank you.” he said sincerely. “Now did you bring our homework, so we can get it done?”

Hermione then smiled and pulled out the texts, and they got busy.

After a few minutes, Harry got an idea. Harry loudly called out, “Daisy? Could we have some help?”

Daisy appeared, “What does Herme’s Harry Potter need?”

“We are stuck here in the infirmary. Hermione is staying with me so I don’t have to be alone, but is missing dinner. Could you have dinner brought for us?”

Daisy looked at him, “How long must you stay here?”

Harry replied, “Master Pomfrey wants me here through tomorrow. I hope to be allowed to leave the morning after next.”

Daisy looked at Hermione. “Will you be eating all these meals with him to keep Harry Potter company?”

Hermione nodded yes, Daisy then said, “We’s will be getting your dinner now, and tomorrow’s meals too.” And she popped away.

Before the food arrived, Trixie appeared. She looked aggrieved with flashing eyes, “Why did you call her! You should have called me!”

Hermione glanced at Harry and looked at Trixie, and with a remorseful tone replied, “We didn’t think you could talk to Hogwarts. We honestly didn’t think you have any authority, here.”

Daisy appeared and looked reprovingly at Trixie, “She doesn’t! You were proper to address your requests for Hogwarts to me! Continue to do so!” and with another angry glance at Trixie, she popped away.

Trixie now looked embarrassed. She looked up at Hermione and Harry, “Will you sting my bottom now?” she asked forlornly.

Harry called out, “NO!” and both Hermione and Trixie looked at him. With a more normal voice, Harry asked, “Is that the normal punishment for a disobedient or dishonest elf?”

Trixie looked uncertain, and Rose popped in. She glared at Trixie, “Did you really lie to master?” she hissed at Trixie.

Trixie looked ashamed, “I just wanted them to call me, and not a Hogwarts elf. I don’t trust them!” she asserted.

Rose hissed, “Trixie! I have told you about this! Go! I will deal with you later!” she threatened.

Trixie with tears in her eyes, popped away.

Rose shook her head with that expression seen by mothers of naughty children everywhere. She then turned to Harry and Hermione, “Please believe the Potter elves can be trusted. Trixie is young, and newly bonded to Tippy. However, she has not had children of her own yet, so is a bit immature. Babies always turn girls into mothers.” She said with conviction.

Harry, wanting an answer to his original question, asked Rose, “How are elves punished when appropriate?”

Rose looked at him, “If it bothers you, I will take care of it. However, in many homes, elves are indeed sting-hexed like recalcitrant children. In some homes…other things are done. Bad things.” She admitted.

Hermione looked at Rose, “What did the Potters usually do?”

Rose looked at her with horror, “They would put us in a chair, and not let us do any work! Sometimes for hours! Please Lady Potter. Just sting our bottoms until we can’t sit down. Don’t keep us from our work!” she begged.

Hermione tried not to grin at the idea of naughty children wanting to be spanked instead of losing their chores. With a firm tone she said, “We are Potters. Honor and loyalty to family is everything. If you have a problem with what we do, we expect to be told and we will discuss it like trustworthy adults. Lies will NOT be tolerated! You will tell Trixie I expect her to sit in the corner on the naughty stool, and do NOTHING for two hours for lying to me. Warn her I will make her sit there considerably longer, if she does it again. Understand?” she ordered firmly.

Rose looked at her with something between respect and worry. She then curtseyed, “Yes Lady Potter. It will be done.” And she popped away.

Harry grinned at Hermione, “Yes Mum,” and he just looked at her with love and something else…

Hermione looking at him blushed, but as he kept looking at her, asked “What Harry?”

Harry smirked, “To think, your breakthrough to wandless magic was punishing a recalcitrant child by stinging their bottom. Our children will definitely walk carefully around you if you get irritable!”

Hermione blushed but grinned at the smile on Harry face. She bumped her shoulder into him and he winced. She looked contrite, saying “Sorry, Harry,” after realizing he didn’t exaggerate how sore he was.

He just shook his head as a table of food then appeared next to Harry’s bed.

Hermione made a couple of plates of food for Harry and placed then on his bed table. She then made her own food, and ate sitting next to him. They enjoyed eating and talking before spending the evening studying. Once the classwork assignments were done, including their GCSE class, Harry worked on the third Healing text which covered treatments for different diseases, trauma, poisons, age, and pregnancy problems. Hermione studied ahead as she always did.

Chapter Text

Chapter 29

The next day, Harry was studying the Healing tomes, and working on having four balls floating around him. He had already finished his homework and was actually ahead on his assignments. Flitwick came in during his free period. Harry saw him walk in, and smiled, “Master Flitwick! Good to see you! I am looking forward to returning to class tomorrow.”

Flitwick noticed that Harry was up to four balls, and smiled back “Good day, apprentice. That is what I wanted to talk to you about. Until I hear from my adeptus colleagues, or get a reputable text on the subject, I forbid you from forcing your body with your magic again. Once we have a better idea where to go with this. Once we know the risks, then we can explore the possibilities. Tomorrow, I expect you to will your body to work harder like normal, but not use your magic to force or augment it. Understand, apprentice?” he sternly asked.

Harry nodded in easy agreement, “Yes, Master. Hermione has already made me promise the same. She did promise to explore this adeptus ability with me, once we are sure we can do so safely.”

Flitwick smiled at that. “Very good. Get your homework done and I will see you tomorrow.” He then looked at the four balls, “What is your end game with this?”

Harry glanced at the four balls, “I really don’t know, but at least six seems appropriate. I am trying to decide if I want to make them heavier, or not.” He looked at Flitwick, “Maybe you can ask your adeptus friend about wandless magic and object moving too.”

Flitwick grinned, “You really are trying to become a Jedi, aren’t you.”

Harry snorted, “Wouldn’t you?”

Flitwick laughed, “Naturally! Get better now.” he finished warmly.

Harry replied, “Yes, Master.” And Flitwick walked back out, shaking his head while Harry returned to his reading.

The following morning, Hermione showed up at 4:30 with Harry’s uniform. Harry was waiting for her and when he saw her, yelled out “Master Pomfrey! Hermione is here with my uniform! I need you to clear me for physical discipline!” he exclaimed with excitement.

Master Pomfrey, in a house robe over a long nightgown with slippers, strolled in with a frown. “Settle down, Harry! I said you would be able to return to class today. Fool me, for not realizing you would interpret that to mean showing up for Flitwick’s physical discipline, first thing in the morning! Lie down on the bed!” she curtly ordered.

Harry quickly threw off his sick gown and lay down on the bed. Hermione was setting out Harry’s clothes, on the next bed, to speed his dressing. She was already dressed in uniform and with her battle-maiden braid applied.

Pomfrey then scanned Harry, and nodded in satisfaction. With her wand, she motioned for him to get off the bed, “Alright Harry get up. Run in place."

Harry looked at her, and quickly jogged in place...trying to ignore the feeling of his dick flopping about in the two witch's view.

"Any pain?" she asked. Harry shook his head while continuing to run.

Pomfrey nodded again, "Good, now give me a few burpees."

Harry huffed and started doing burpies. He noticed Hermione avidly watching his dick bounce up and down, especially with his jump in place.

Poppy was watching Harry, carefully "Any issues?" she asked.

Harry huffed and said, "I'm fine!"

Poppy grinned, "You are cleared.” And with a shake of her head, started to return to quarters, but noticed the excited look on Hermione, who suddenly looked away from Harry, but not before Poppy saw she had been staring. Poppy stopped and glared at Hermione, then got a sly grin on her face and and turned back, “Don’t dress just yet,” before she returned to her office.

Harry looked at Hermione and Hermione blushed, realizing what was going on. “Oh, no” she whined.

A short minute later Pomfrey came back grinning and holding her camera. Harry sighed and stood up, bare, to have his pictures taken. On a lark, he started posing in different muscle poses, and grinning sexily at the camera.

Poppy blushed and frowned, but just kept taking pictures until she had a full set showing the different areas of his body. “OK that’s enough from you, you scamp!” She then turned to Hermione, who was just standing there watching Harry with an open mouth and eyes dilated with want. His posing really shocked her. With a knowing smirk, Poppy swished her wand and Hermione was now bare too.

Hermione immediately felt the air move over her skin and yelled “EEEK! Master Pomfrey!” she complained, while covering her groin with her hand for a few seconds before she sighed and took a normal pose knowing everything was going to be ‘seen’ soon anyway. She then glanced at Harry and with a grin of her own, started posing and turning to the side, to accentuate her figure, especially her bust and arse.

She grinned more when Harry kept watching her pose, with an open mouth of his own, and forgetting he was still nude. Hermione then blushed when Harry’s penis was soon hard, while he watched her. She blushed even harder, when she realized her body was showing signs of arousal, too. With her nipples engorged, and her vulva getting puffy and wet. She groaned, but had only a few areas left to show, and since neither was her pudenda or breasts, there was no point in stopping now.

Harry suddenly realized he was now erect, and let out a groan of his own, covering his erection with his hands.

A minute later, Poppy was done. She shook her head at the two of them. “Get dressed while I develop the pictures!” she tersely commanded. She then stomped away, more than a little irritated her prank backfired so badly. She almost took a picture of Harry now erect, but stopped herself as she didn't really have a medical reason for it, so it was a step too far.

Harry quickly dressed with the clothes laid out by Hermione, though stuffing his erect penis into his pants was more than a little uncomfortable. Hermione grinned at his problem while she replaced her own clothes, “See something you liked?” she asked with a smirk.

Harry glared at her, “I REALLY wish I could spank you right now.” He muttered under his breath.

Hermione, completely unrepentant, whispered back, “Me too, my everything. Me too. Now finish getting dressed.” She then frowned, “We are going to be so late!” she complained.

Poppy came back and slapped their copies into each of their hands. Hermione squeaked when she looked down and realized she had Harry’s pictures! She then looked at him with consternation, and saw him staring at her pictures with an open mouth, ’Great! He’s looking at mine now, too.’ Hermione glared at Harry and snapped her fingers, while holding out her hand.

Harry paused for a second, and with a sad look started passing hers back to her. After a second, he pulled them back and with a hopeful look in his eyes, “You keep mine, I keep yours?” he offered with a big grin.

Hermione kept glaring at him, “Fine!...but if I see mine in any boy’s hands, yours will be given to the Harry Potter fan club!” she threatened as she started putting his pictures away.

Harry glared at her for even suggesting something like him sharing her…then he shuddered at the threat of the fan club, and just put her pictures away for now, too. He then said to her, “We better go. Our bottoms are going to be sore enough, as it is.”

Hermione sighed, but didn’t disagree, and they ran to discipline.

Flitwick frowned when he saw his two apprentices join them really late, and race to catch up with the run. It took them an additional 10 minutes of the calisthenics time to finish the run, but they were able to race through the full amount, before joining him for hand-to-hand.

He didn’t say anything, though he did nail the both of them every time Hermione didn’t finish the full amount. Since she still failed on the 100 push-ups, 100 burpees, and 20 pull-ups regularly, that meant they both started hand-to-hand with three stings each.

They were enthusiastic in grappling and avoided more stings, but it was soon time for staff fighting.

In staff fighting. Harry tried to center himself, and his body started gathering magic. He was shocked out of his meditation with a hard sting to his rear. “Ouch!” and he looked to Flitwick for an explanation.

Flitwick frowned at Harry, “You were gathering magic. I told you not to do that.” He said, obviously not expecting to have to explain himself.

Harry frowned back, “Was I? I was just trying to center myself to better fight with the staff. I was not trying to gather it.”

Flitwick looked slightly puzzled, and ordered “Start again. This time when you actively meditate, keep yourself from gathering the magic.”

Harry nodded, “Yes sir.” And they started sparing again. Harry would start to gather magic, and then he would force it to fade away. This happened multiple times, and obviously the process of avoiding gathering magic, was disrupting Harry’s fighting. Hermione won three bouts, and only one was close.

After the third bout, Harry complained, “That is irritating. I am actively fighting my body about this. Are we sure I can’t just absorb the magic? What if I don’t try to augment my body with it?”

Flitwick shook his head. “No. We will wait to see if I can get some information. You will just have to learn to control it for now.”

Harry nodded, and answered “Yes Sir,” with a frown.

A short time later, class was over and they were ready to be dismissed. Flitwick looked at the two of them, “What happened this morning?”

Hermione blushed, “I went to collect Harry, but ran into a snag. Master Pomfrey insisted on another set of photos. It delayed us.”

Flitwick looked at her with a calculating look, “That isn’t everything.” He determined.

Hermione blushed even more and was having trouble continuing, when Harry spoke out, “We were posing…a bit inappropriately…for each other. It delayed things, more than we realized.”

Flitwick looked at the two of them, both blushing furiously. “Do I want to see these pictures?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Hermione had a sudden look of horror, “Please, no master! Please!” she begged.

Flitwick sighed, remembering what it was like to be young. “Keep them hidden, then. If I see them in anyone’s hands…the two of you will pay for it. Understood?”

Both snapped to attention, “Yes SIR!”

“Dismissed,” and the two ran off. Flitwick just grinned to himself. To be young again. Sigh.

They were in transfiguration with the Gryffindors again. Harry and Hermione had really developed a dislike for those loud and often obnoxious students. Sure, many were tolerable, but Ron more than made up for the tolerable ones, easily.

Harry and Hermione were in class early, like usual, and reading texts. Ron wandered in with the Gryffindors, shortly before class started. He saw Hermione, glared, and stomped over to them.

Ron stood over them and looked at Hermione, “You stung me on purpose! Everyone is saying you claimed accidental magic. That’s a lie!” he yelled.

Hermione just glanced up at him, before continuing to read. While flipping a page, she nonchalantly answered “I didn’t use my wand. Everyone knows students, especially firsties, can’t do wandless magic, ergo it was accidental.” She then glared up at him pointedly, “Try not to irritate me, Weasel. Who knows? It could happen again.” She said ominously.

Harry snorted in amusement.

Ron then looked at Harry, grinning up at him. “You have no reason to look smug! You were trying to show off in Flitwick’s morning discipline and ran into a post. I heard you ran into it so hard, you were in the infirmary for 2 days! You ran into a bloody post!” and he laughed with Dean giggling along with him.

Harry glanced up at him and turned back to his book. After turning another page, he calmly stated, “All true. Do you have a point, Weasel?”

Ron now glared at Harry, “It Weasley, not Weasel! The point is how could someone be so dumb as to run into a post! Did it jump in your way?” he said trying to be funny.

Harry looked up again for a second before returned to reading again. “No, the pole didn’t move. I was just moving too quickly, and slipped, Weasel. Go away.”

Ron yelled, “Its Weasley, not Weasel!”

Harry not even looking up this time, “I’m sure, nobody cares.” Everyone was laughing at that brutal comment.

Ron started fingering his wand. Without even looking up, Harry rather ominously threatened, “Pull that wand, Weasel, and I will shove it so far up your arse, it will take a few days to defecate it out again.” Harry then looked up at Ron’s face with a distinctively unfriendly look in his eyes, “You want to be elsewhere…now.”

Dean not liking the look in Harry’s eyes, started pulling Ron away to go sit down.

At this point Master McGonagall came in, “Everyone, take your seats,” she looked at Ron, “Mr. Weasley?”

Ron then with a glare, turned and went across the room to sit down. McGonagall than started her class. Once the lecture was completed, she asked the class to work on Mouse to Tea-cup transfiguration. Harry just pointed his wand and with a blink the Mouse had turned into a beautiful Chinese porcelain tea cup with a beautiful flower pattern on it.

Minerva quickly came over and picked up the teacup, looking at it. After examining it, she said, “Nice job, but I didn’t hear you use the spell. Are you silent casting, Mr. Potter?”

Harry replied, “Yes and No. Yes, I am silent, but the reason is, I don't use incantations. I just picture the change I wish in my head and will it to happen. It does.”

McGonagall then with a shake of her head, replied “I need to hear you use the Incantation, Mr. Potter.”

Harry just grimaced, “Well that would be a waste of time, since I don’t need them. I don’t wave my wand and I don’t use incantations. Transfiguration and Conjuring don’t require them, if you have the power to cast the spells properly.”

McGonagall then frowned, “You will be marked down in that case, Mr. Potter.”

Harry shrugged, “Do what you will. Just as you would not consider following the numerous things a mundane would have to do to make a spell work, I will not be required to do what a regular wizard needs to do to make things work. It’s of no value, to me.”

McGonagall replied irritated, “So you are too good to use incantations?”

Harry just looked at her calmly for a few seconds, “Not too good, too powerful. My magic just doesn’t require it. In fact, when I use an incantation, it often seriously overpowers the spell. If I cast a confringo using the incantation, I could end up dropping this tower with it.”

McGonagall then stated, “If you can’t say the incantations, you will not pass your owls.”

Harry huffed in disbelief, “Well that’s just ridiculous, as I am already conjuring near permanent items. If the WEA can’t see past this, then I will drop transfiguration, as I can do it just fine now. I would regret that, as your explaining things, does make the more complex ideas easier to understand, and hopefully learn. However, you need to know, I am studying to be a healer, and I refuse to lose an hour studying something useful to me, like healing, for something useless to me, like transfiguration incantations and wand movements. It makes no sense and I will not do it.”

McGonagall just looked at him with a surprised frown, “that will be ten points from Ravenclaw and a detention with me tonight.”

Harry looked back with faint disgust, but eventually only said, “As you wish…professor,” with a shrug like he didn’t care.

After magical discipline, Flitwick asked what happened in Transfiguration. Harry explained, “Professor McGonagall didn’t like that I don’t use incantations or wand movements for transfiguration. I explained, I do not need them and she was offended by the idea. She then said I needed them to pass. I explained I would not waste my time studying something completely useless to me, when I can be studying Healing. I refused. She assigned me point loss and a detention.”

Flitwick replied, “How do you intend to resolve this situation? She’s not likely to let this go.”

Harry replied, “I will report to the WEA and request independent study, to take my Transfiguration OWL now, or drop the course if she wishes to be useless to me. I already said I wished to continue studying with her as her ability to explain complex transfiguration subjects is helpful. However, if she pushes it, then I will drop the course as she will have removed that usefulness.”

Flitwick sighed, “I really wish you would give in on this issue, but your argument is sound. I will try to convince her this fight will hurt her much more than it will hurt you.”

Harry replied, “Yes, please remind her, I still remember she left me at the Dursleys. I would love the excuse to publicly hurt her, to repay her in some small way, for how she hurt me. I do not consider her a friend or an ally. If she pushes, I will go to the media and show my conjuration skill and how she did not teach it to me. I would then say very unflattering things about her bravery, her honesty, and her care for the children of supposed friends. Or…she can let it go and I will keep coming to class and learning from her. Her choice.”

Flitwick looked at Harry, “What happens if Dumbledore tells me to convince you to drop this.”

Harry looked at Flitwick, “You are my Master and I would like us to remain in an amicable relationship. While I know you can just punish me and Hermione until I capitulate, we both know that would definitely damage our relationship. Therefore, I expect you to demand something from Dumbledore at least as valuable as the lost relationship. It would be interesting what he could come up with, to make you do such a thing. Who knows? If it’s good enough, Hermione and I may agree with you…not that you would tell him that.”

Flitwick grinned, “I will let you know.” And he left.

That night after dinner, Harry reported for his detention with McGonagall. He knocked at her door and entered the classroom. She was at her desk and Harry walked down to her. Once on the other side of her desk, Harry said, “Harry Potter reporting for detention…professor.”

McGonagall mentally winced to hear the son of a dear friend, say that word to her with such…antipathy. She already knew how little he thought of her as a person, and was now starting to think less of her as a professor too. She looked up at Harry, “You talked to Professor Flitwick,” she said with some judgement creeping into her voice.

Harry replied with slight sarcasm and treated it like it was a stupid question, “Of course I talked to my Master. Though your attempt at misdirection is rather pathetic, since you had talked to him first. He came to me to find out what actually happened.” Harry explained calmly.

Her eyes flashed, “You dare to insinuate I would lie?” with obvious anger and some magic coming out to play.

Harry ignored it, then calmly asked “Did you? Master Flitwick seemed a bit surprised when I told him what happened…almost like there were parts of our conversation left out. However, since I can provide a memory of the event, that oversite was cleared up. You’re welcome, by the way, as I’m sure it was accidental.” He answered now being openly sarcastic.

Minerva blushed in embarrassment when she realized Harry had just provided a memory to Filius. Any dissembling would have been readily apparent.

Harry looked at her, “Are we together, going to the WEA to present my special circumstances as a Magus using transfiguration, or am I going alone?” he asked, still calm.

Acting confused, “I’m not sure what you are talking about.”

Harry snorted, and his voice betrayed some irritation now. “I’m entirely sure, you are completely sure, what I’m talking about.” He challenged. “I already told you. I will not use those pointless incantations and wand movements. A magus doesn’t need them, and they make the art harder, not easier. I intend to go to the WEA and present my case for a dispensation against a pointless and useless waste of my time. I will show just what I can do.” He then looked challengingly in her eyes, “You have two choices. You can join me and be considered an innovative and compassionate educator who wishes to push me to see just how far I can get in the next six years...”

Harry then got up and started walking around, “Or you can decide what I can do doesn’t matter, and I will drop out of a course you just made completely worthless to me.”

Harry stopped and looked at her with an open challenge obvious in his mien, “At that point, you will attack me in the WEA trying to point out how I am insulting and belittling centuries of good education.” Harry then looked in her eyes with a cold anger, “I will of course then point out how you have effectively taught me nothing, how you placed the value of 5 points on my wife’s life, and how you purposefully left me with magic-hating muggles against my parent’s wishes causing me to be tortured my entire childhood. I wonder how many people will want you teaching their children when I explain in vivid graphic detail just what you did to me with complete and callous disregard.”

Minerva blanched with fear in her eyes, “Why would you do that to me? I loved your parents!” she insisted.

“DON’T LIE!” Harry screamed, his magic rolling around the room. “You know I recognized you in your cat form. I saw you at the Dursley’s house many times. You saw how they treated me. You saw the beatings. You did nothing!” Harry growled, “Because your master asked you, you left me to be abused, starved, beaten, imprisoned, and hated. With people like you, supposedly loving my parents, it is no wonder the Potter’s are near extinct!”

With horror in her eyes, Minerva exclaimed, “I checked on you many times! There was no abuse! Appropriate discipline occasionally and a great deal of yelling, but I saw nothing like you describe!”

Harry with utter disgust, slapped down copies of all the pictures from that first examination.

McGonigal looked at them with growing horror.

Harry said with cold sarcasm, “Of course you didn’t. Yet my back side was covered with scars which took four months to heal.” Pointing at the pictures, “Explain that you child-abusing lying coward. I would love to get some payback. I hear tell, you come from Mundane background. Do you have brothers or sisters? Maybe, I should find them, and let certain conservative families know where they live. Mundane families. Point out how it would be justice if their children were treated and abused the way you did to me.”

Looking at her coldly, “Wouldn’t that be justice? For me to stand there and watch them scream as they are tortured the way you stood there watching it happen to me?”

Minerva stood there with tears running down her face. Her eyes unable to look away from the graphic pictures, “I never knew. I never saw any of this!” she asserted.

Harry snorted, “I SAW YOU! Maybe your oh so generous master erased the thoughts from your weak little mind. You probably couldn’t handle it, so he took the most expedient route…all for the greater good.” Harry answered with a sneer.

Harry paused, “I don’t want to do this. No that is a lie. I do, very very much want to hurt you. To give those pictures to the Prophet, and point out how a McGonagall honors close friends and family. However, my Master made it clear, I had to play nice if you did, too. That means if you pick option one, I’m not allowed to do anything to you…or your family. Your choice.”

Minerva looked at him, feeling his magic around her, with horror. “You are a monster.” She decided.

Harry just waved it off. “Coming from your lying honorless child-abusing mouth, that’s a compliment. I am what your indifference and cowardice made me. Please pick option two…I really want to see justice done.” And he gave her a cold implacable smile.

Minerva shuddered at the rage in the eyes of her James’ son…what it would have taken to make him hate her so, “I…will pick option one. We will talk to Madam Marchbanks about getting you a special OWL and NEWT exam stressing your capabilities.” She paused and looked off into the distance with a small smile, “Honestly, this could be very informative and groundbreaking about what a Magus can do in the art of transfiguration.”

Harry slightly smiled at her academic enthusiasm, “That’s the spirit! Hermione and I will look forward to the new you. Don’t call on us in class unless you simply wish to show a successful spell. Certainly, don’t mention the incantations we don’t use. Just be impressed by our silent and point casting. It’s close enough to the truth to be believable.” He instructed, apparently calm again as his magic faded away.

Harry went to retrieve the pictures, and halted. “Why don’t I leave these COPIES with you. So when Dumbledore erases your memories again, you have something to jog it.” and he gave a slight bow, “Good evening, professor,” as he turned and walked out, obviously ignoring that he hadn’t been excused.

Minerva just stood there with tears in her eyes, looking down at the pictures. Harry was so sure, he had seen her at the Dursleys…and he definitely recognized her cat form. She quickly gathered up the pictures and told herself she had to write all this down. Someone was tampering with her memories, and she had a very good idea who.

Chapter Text

Chapter 30

The next week, Harry and Hermione prepared themselves in their finest evening clothes and over-robes for Lady Malfoy. They were starting their official training. As Narcissa strode in, resplendent and perfect as usual, they bowed and curtseyed as students to their instructor. She gave a tight grin and returned a head nod.

Narcissa looked around the room. It was part sitting room, dining room, and dance floor to cover most of their training. She went over to the dining table and with a sweep of her wand, the flatware, silverware, and crystal shifted away from one end…until there was enough room for something large on it. Hermione blanched when she realized what that something, or more appropriately, who that someone was…

Narcissa saw Hermione’s eyes widen and blanch while she stiffened. Narcissa smiled, “Yes, you do read my intent correctly. Do you know how you have earned discipline?” she asked calmly.

Harry cut in “I believe it is for presenting herself on the train as Countess Potter without the proper training.” Harry gave an apologetic look to Hermione who looked at him with surprise. Harry turned back to Narcissa, “Draco warned me about what could earn your ire. Unfortunately, Hermione was already dragged away by the ladies, and the warning came too late to stop it.”

Narcissa looked at Hermione, “Oh? You were dragged away?”

Hermione turned from Harry and back to Narcissa, schooling her face, somewhat. “Yes, Aunt Cissa. We were readying for the ride, when my ring was noticed by a friend. After much squealing in joy, I was made to present myself to the other noble ladies on the train.”

She then looked beseeching at Cissa, “I felt refusing would be much worse, so used the partial training you had already given us to get through it. I was mostly successful.” She said with some hope.

Cissa nodded with a cold smile. “That is true, though I have been made aware of many flaws in your presentation. Flaws which warrant chastisement.” She paused for effect, “However, you are correct. You were partially successful…and really had no choice. Therefore, we will forgo a full bottom roasting, and you will only suffer a taste of what that will be like. We will start with three. Bare your bottom and bend yourself over the table, Lady Hermione.”

Hermione blanched and there was a tremor in her hands as she removed her robe. Harry snapped to attention and stepped to her side to take her robe. With a glance at Harry, she handed him the robe. She then looked at Narcissa who just looked back with a slightly raised eyebrow. Her intent that Hermione better move it, was obvious.

Hermione then pulled up her dress, and removed her knickers from under it. Keeping them in her hands she went over to the table, pulled up her dress to her waist and lay down on the table. Her bottom was exposed, somewhat.

Narcissa frowned. “Widen your legs shoulder-width apart. You will need the extra stability, and exposing yourself to the room is part of the punishment. To that end, stick out your bottom, don’t try to protect it, by pulling it in. It won’t work anyway.”

Hermione widened her stance and stuck out her bottom with a very red and grimacing face. Her eyes tightly shut in fear.

Narcissa nodded approvingly. “Very good. Remember that position. If I need to remind you to correct your posture, it will cost you additional hexes.” She then flicked her wand, and a bright spark flew to Hermione’s right cheek, the magic burning into it with a loud ZAP!

Hermione let out a SHRIEK! and jumped up, covering her bottom with her hands.

Harry called out, “Hermione! Position!” with obvious desperation in his voice.

Hermione immediately threw herself back down on the table, pulled her dress back out of the way, and shoved her bottom back out.

Narcissa looked from Harry and back to Hermione, not saying anything, though there was slight approval in her eyes. She then flicked her wand a second time.

Hermione yelled, “OWW!” and jumped slightly, but this time stayed in position. She also started sobbing from the pain. Her bottom showed two very large and painful stings.

Narcissa nodded approvingly, and flicked her wand a third time.

Hermione yelled, “AHHH! OWW OWW OWW!” as she jumped up, and furiously rubbed her burning bottom while continuing to cry.

Narcissa swept her wand over the table, and everything moved back to where it belonged. She turned to Hermione, “Get dressed. We will start your lesson now.”

Narcissa then led them through the greetings necessary for the different rankings and groups. About an hour in, she looked with disappointment at Hermione, who was still sniffling and hiccupping from her crying. With a sweep of her wand, the table cleared itself once more.

Hermione noticed this and started sobbing all the louder.

Narcissa just said, “Prepare yourself Lady Hermione. You have earned an additional sting with your caterwauling.”

Hermione quickly divested herself of her over-robe, and knickers. She then pulled up her dress and lay herself over the table again. There were three large stings on her bottom which had to be very painful.

With a flick, another sting joined the one on her left buttock, so now she had two on each. Hermione let out another SHRIEK! and was sobbing again.

Lady Malfoy looked at her with obvious disapproval, “A noble does not share her pain, but hides it from the world. Try harder, lest I give you more to practice with.” currently glaring at Hermione, and fingering her wand.

With wide fearful eyes, Hermione schooled her face, and silenced her sobs while she smiled pleasantly despite the tears falling from her eyes. Narcissa smiled coldly in approval, holstered her wand, and continued the lesson.

Once the lesson was concluded, they bowed/curtseyed to Lady Malfoy.

Cissa nodded and strolled from the room. After the door closed, both relaxed slightly.

Harry turned to Hermione, and with an empathic grimace of commiseration, quietly said “Come Mine, let’s balm this lesson away.”

Hermione looked in his eyes, hers filled with tears and pain, and she nodded gratefully. Harry led her to Ravenclaw tower and up to their room. Harry winced, as climbing stairs with a well-stung bottom…hurt.

Once in their room Hermione quickly divested herself of her over-robe, and told Harry, “Get me out of this dress, my Lord.”

Before he could do anything, Trixie appeared and with a snap of her fingers, Hermione was bare.

Hermione squeaked but instead of covering up, she immediately lay over the foot of the bed, grabbing a hold of Puffy. She then mumbled “Thanks Trixie. Please Harry, look at my pussy some other time. My bottom really hurts.”

Harry frowned and his hand twitched. He really thought about slapping her bottom for implying he would ogle her, when she was in such distress, but realized the lesson might be counterproductive. So instead, he sighed and gently smeared the balm into the four large stings, so very evident. He rubbed them for a good twenty minutes until they were completely gone.

As Harry rubbed her bottom, he started quietly reciting, “The old woman across the way is whipping the boy again and shouting to the neighborhood her goodness and his wrongs. Wildly he crashes through elephant ears, pleads in dusty zinnias, while she in spite of crippling fat, pursues and corners him. She strikes and strikes the shrilly circling boy, till the stick breaks in her hand. His tears are rainy weather to woundlike memories. My head gripped in bony vise of knees, the writhing struggle to wretch free, the blows, the fear worse than that hateful words could bring, the face that I no longer knew or loved…Well, it’s over now, it is over, and the boy sobs in his room, and the woman leans muttering against a tree, exhausted, purged. Avenged in part for lifelong hidings she has had to bear.” He quietly finished.

Hermione listened and slowly stopped crying for a time. With an almost accusatory tone to her voice, she sulked, “I don’t know that one. I hate it when you recite a poem I don’t know!” she exclaimed petulantly.

Harry quietly replied, “No you don’t. You are irritated and slightly embarrassed, not angry or hateful. It’s The Whipping by Robert Hayden. It was one of the first poems which burned itself into my soul when I first heard it. My experiences with the Dursleys…I just hoped I was being whipped because it was how they were raised, and they truly believed it was how you raised a child you loved and wished to see succeed.”

Harry snorted, “It was a year or so before I realized there was no love for me. They truly enjoyed my torment, and education was the least of their concerns.”

Harry then lay down next to Hermione, and she set aside Puffy to grab onto Harry. She exclaimed, “Oh Harry! What was done to me was nothing like that! Aunt Cissa is actually teaching us,” and she just cried her grief away holding him tightly.

Hermione felt much better after a while, holding Harry. Once she had quieted, she declared “I’m not letting that happen again! You better concentrate on your lessons too, because I don’t want to be bent over that table ever again! It really hurt! I don't want to feel you put over the table, either!” Harry agreed they would do their best to avoid Lady Malfoy’s ire.

Hermione rapidly became an exemplary student, and was usually able to avoid more than the casual light sting to hand, ankle, or bottom during Lady Malfoy’s lessons over the rest of the year. Despite the repeated threats of discipline, they found her a tough but fair instructor, much to Hermione’s relief.

Harry, despite his skill on a broom and in dueling, often over-compensated during dance lessons. He found himself bent over the table on multiple occasions, when Lady Malfoy was beyond frustrated with his inability to improve and follow her instructions, in learning to dance.

Despite the repeated discipline, Harry never gave up, never complained, and slowly improved. Hermione felt horrible as a small voice in the back of her head exclaimed, ‘At least it isn’t me!’ every time Harry was stung bare-bottomed over the table. Even though she shared his pain, it wasn't nearly as vivid as when she was suffering it personally! This made her practice all the harder with Harry to get him to improve. It was helpful, and he slowly earned less discipline from Lady Malfoy, as the year progressed.

The weeks flew by, and it was now late February. Things had settled down for the couple. Their physical discipline was progressing slowly but continuously. Harry had finally learned how to meditate without calling his magic so was no longer a punching bag for Hermione. He grinned. It had done wonders for her self-confidence to dominate him; but those days were over and she now had her pretty bottom handed to her again, more often than not. Still, Master Flitwick was unwilling to allow him to ‘use the Force’ again, and Harry had no idea if or when that would change.

Magical discipline was also growing by leaps and bounds, and they were now incorporating all the third-year charms into their dueling. Master Flitwick was also starting to have them incorporate transfiguration into the duelling too.

McGonagall pretended the two were silent casting in class, and instead of the simplistic first year essays about specific incantations and wand movements, provided them with much more complex essay questions dealing with advanced interactions of the rules of transfiguration and conjuration…in short, she assigned them the fifth year OWL essays. She was now satisfied with how things were progressing, despite the two ignoring the specific incantations. She could also be seen, occasionally looking at Harry with a sadness to her eyes, but never said anything to explain it.

The second game for Harry’s quidditch season was longer than the first…but only by 10 minutes. It seemed Harry was able to find the snitch even if it hid. The score was 170 to 30, and while the teams were slightly mollified, it wasn’t going to be enough if Harry kept the games this short. Madam Hooch had an idea, but had to talk to the Quidditch leagues before initiating it the following year. She was counting on Harry ‘ruining’ the next game too, and would have league officials present. It would help justify her change.

Time moved on, and Harry and Hermione continued to do well. By now the Quidditch team was well aware Harry wasn’t interested in the other girls, despite them being significantly more mature, experienced, and offering things Hermione was not yet ready to provide. He still physically responded as any young man in puberty would, but he was unwilling to touch them or let them touch him. Hermione had staked her claim, and Harry backed it up.

That doesn’t mean there weren’t hiccups. After a hard practice, Donna was starting to wash, when Harry suddenly yelled “AHHH, don’t! I told you, NO!” Donna looked over to see Harry shove Shelly Peasgood, an aggressive 4th year girl, off him. Considering her top chaser, was now falling on her backside from kneeling in front of Harry, and he was holding his dick protectively, it was readily apparent what she had attempted.

Shelly was sprawled on the floor, bare, looking up at Harry with irritation. She came back up to a kneeling position in front of him, her knees wide spread and her wet pussy very visible. “Aw come on Harry! Let me try for just one minute. If you don’t enjoy it, I’ll stop!” she cajoled.

Harry, still holding his dick protectively, screamed “NO! Only Hermione will suck my dick…or anything else you come up with! If you wish to give her ideas fine, but only her mouth and hands will be on me! Understand?” Harry demanded, not letting go of his dick.

Hermione had skipped showering that day, but Harry’s obvious distress brought her like a mother bear protecting her cubs. She ran into the room and straight to Harry. Hermione ended up under the water, still clothed, and immediately pulled the distraught Harry, into a hug. She just held him, and Harry clung to her tightly, burying his face in her neck, while Hermione glared at Shelly.

Shelly looked at Hermione now in the room and realized she missed her opportunity. Still, she persisted, looking imploringly at Harry, and instinctively widening her knees to give even better access to her pussy, “She’s just a firstie! She isn’t ready to suck your cock, or she would be nursing on you, like a calf every night! Let me show the both of you how it’s done. No attachments! No consequences! I just want to be the first to suck the Hawk empty!” she begged.

Hermione looked nervous, and tensed up. She wasn’t ready for this, but what to do? Harry felt Hermione’s distress and just pulled her tighter; he then grabbed her face and kissed her hard and long, before he turned back to Shelly.

Hermione eyes were closed and her mouth was open, when he finally released that kiss. Donna smirked, Hermione really looked like that kiss was something!

Harry then looked at Shelly angrily before he yelled at her again, “When Hermione is ready to gift me with that…and I am ready to reciprocate, it will happen. Not before! She will be my first! She will be my only! Do you understand?” He demanded, glaring at her, with his magic swirling around him.

Hermione had recovered from the kiss, and looked at the fire in Harry’s eyes. She just melted. She realized she had nothing to worry about. Harry would wait for her. She shifted, realizing her panties were soaked, and it wasn’t the shower! When Harry had grabbed her and kissed her hard…oh how it made her tingle!

She turned to Shelly with eyes now blazing. “You just tried to ‘Poach’ my Lord! As we are married,” and Hermione shoved her Countess Ring in Shelly’s face, “and you are not one of our bound concubines or a consort for him, that is a crime! Should we have you in front of the ‘mot for Line Theft? Did you attempt this on behest of your family, or just to better your own position? Should we call the DMLE?” she threatened.

Shelly with wide eyes, screamed out “NO! I meant nothing by it! I didn’t realize you are married!” She threw herself at Harry’s feet, “Please my Lord. Forgive me! I meant nothing by it,” and she scrambled up to run out of the shower.

Donna witnessed this confrontation, and thought about it for a second. She was abashed as she admitted to herself, she never met a boy, who would say ‘No’ to a naked and horny witch, willing to provide such services. Hermione then turned and glared at Donna, as this was obviously why she sacrificed her modesty to join them in the showers. It was also obvious to Donna, that Hermione had feared and predicted, this would happen.

Donna sighed, “All right, I made a mistake. While I never met a wizard, who wouldn’t take a naked witch up on an offer to suck him, if not more,” and she looked at Harry, “I guess he does exist…at least in Harry here. The next witch who tries to force the issue past a hard ‘No’, will feel my wand immediately, and you will be reported to Master Flitwick. Just as would happen if one of you wizards, pressed your suit with a witch, against a hard ‘No’ too.”

She turned to Hermione, “Better?” she asked by way of apology.

Hermione replied coldly, “We will see…but next time I will respond…and it will hurt!” Hermione released her magic, and thought hard at Trixie, ’Trixie, strip me when I snap my fingers!’ With glowing brown eyes, she reached up and snapped her fingers. Suddenly Hermione was completely bare.

The other students gasped at the apparent wandless magic she did…again.

Hermione ignored it, reigned in her magic, and said gently to Harry, “Come my Lord, let’s get you clean.” She then helped wash Harry, and when he became completely hard at her caress, she held his face and said, “Cum on me, my Lord. Cum for me!” she entreated him.

Harry looked intently in her eyes and stroked himself hard for a minute. As he reached climax, Harry called out “Hermione!” while he sprayed all over her. Hermione slightly shuddered through sharing his climax, and then calmly washed herself and then Harry. Once done, she wormed under his arm, grabbed his arse, and wrapped his arm around her. They walked out of the shower, with Hermione gripping Harry’s arse, without a backwards glance.

After the two left, Donna growled out, “Leave Harry alone. Next time that witch, will seriously hurt someone!”

Richard shook his head in open admiration. Hermione was beautiful in so many ways, but her magic…”You aren’t kidding. I get the idea that was our last warning.” He admitted.

The rest of the team just shuddered, as her magic felt really dangerous, warning or not.

Chapter Text

Chapter 31

Harry and Hermione were sitting down to lunch one day, when Michael asked his fellow first years, “Did you hear about the Cerberus? Evidently it's what’s behind the door on the third-floor corridor!” he exclaimed with a large grin.

Everyone thought for a second, and turned to look at Harry. He snorted, “Don’t look at me, I already fought a troll. I don’t need a new name!” he exclaimed with some frustration.

Michael looked at him, “Aw come on! Let’s all go together and see! It would be cool! A Cerberus!” he cajoled loudly.

Harry huffed and stood up, “Professor Hagrid?” he called loudly to the head table.

Hagrid blushed, “Just Hagrid, Harry. What do you need?”

Harry grinned at his fellow students, “Knowing that a Cerberus is a particularly effective guard dog…” and there were gasps around the room at the open discussion of the Cerberus, including some professors who were looking at Harry with alarm.

Harry continued, “Well…when the Cerberus is done guarding, whatever it is, it is guarding…can we see it?” he asked politely.

Hagrid smiled, “Her name is Fluffy, Harry. I would love to introduce her to the students…when she is done guarding the stone.” he said with some regret that he couldn't introduce Fluffy to the students, just yet.

McGonagall screamed, “Hagrid!”

Hagrid pulled his head in, “Shouldn’t a said that. Shouldn’t a said that.” He muttered loud enough for all the students to hear him.

All the professors present couldn't believe what they just heard. They were sitting there, glaring at Hagrid.

Harry smirked, “So the Cerberus…being a very effective guard…for the stone, is the source of the ‘most painful death’ Professor Dumbledore warned us about? Is that appropriate at a school for children? To have something so important...and dangerous enough to warn us about a 'most painful death', you have a Cerberus guarding it? Or is Fluffy the 'most painful death' you were warning us about?”

Hagrid cut in, "Nah! Fluffy couldn' hurt a fly!"

McGonagall screamed, "Hagrid, shut up!" causing the students to start a din of talking amongst themselves, obviously about the third-floor corridor...and Fluffy.

She then turned and glared at Harry. “That will be 20 points from Ravenclaw and a weeks detention!” she said loudly.

Harry glared at her, “For what? Asking about an interesting, but extremely dangerous creature being kept INSIDE this SAFE school? Like the Troll? Considering it is being openly discussed at meal times; I just wanted to get it out in the open and determine if there WAS another dangerous creature in this, safest of all places in Britain!” he said with scorn and sarcasm.

Flitwick rose, “That is a good question, Lord Harry. However, we would appreciate it, if the students would leave Fluffy alone, for now. We will arrange visits with her when she is done guarding…Right Hagrid?”

Hagrid exclaimed, “Naturally Professor Flitwick! Fluffy would love that!” and the students smiled at his enthusiasm.

Flitwick turned back to the students. “As Hagrid just attested, Fluffy is normally very nice, but like all Cerberus, when guarding something, she takes it very seriously. Don’t test her.” He glared at McGonagall, “However if you did approach her while she is guarding, she would bite you to do her job. If she did that, we would be forced to kill her, and it wouldn’t be her fault. It would be yours.” he said meaningfully to the other professors and students.

Hagrid exclaimed, "NO!" and rushed out of the room.

Everyone watched Hagrid rush away...presumably to save his Fluffy.

Once Hagrid had left, Flitwick looked at McGonagall, “The points don’t matter to Ravenclaw, but I believe the detentions are too much. Cancel them, or I will take them regardless.”

McGonagall looked slightly embarrassed, but refused to cancel them. “Do as you will.” she said with apparent indifference, as she sat back down.

Flitwick looked at her then turned back to Harry. “Lord Potter, you will be at morning discipline for the next week, as punishment.”

Harry blanched but sighed, “Yes Sir.” with obvious regret.

McGonagall then exclaimed, “He is at that every morning regardless! How is that a punishment?” she angrily inquired.

Flitwick looked at her coldly, “When a student is there as punishment, I am…less tolerant.” he said ominously.

The students, at Ravenclaw especially, openly blanched at that. Harry would be stung significantly more the next week of discipline.

Snape just looked at Flitwick and shook his head. Between his ‘extra’ discipline for Lord Harry, and his explanation of what would happen if Fluffy bit a student, Filius had done Minerva’s job for her.

He hated to admit it, but putting it like that, could have very well have kept the students out of that room. He glanced at the crown princes of pranks, the Weasley twins, who were currently being castigated by their female teammates/girlfriends. Likely to keep them from putting Fluffy at any more risk.

For a week, Hagrid was camped out at the door in the third-floor corridor. He refused to leave, and sat in a large chair with a rickety table next to him. There was a huge cask of something to drink, and a tray of his rock cakes on it. Any students who came by, were told to leave immediately and loudly. They all scurried away.

Eventually, Dumbledore did something, and Hagrid was no longer found, camped there. In fact, the door was now gone. Instead of trying to sneak past Fluffy, the new game, for the students, was trying to find the missing door!

The next game of the season was Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw. Interestingly, this game could actually decide the cup if Ravenclaw won, so the whole school was watching closely. The Gryffindors were introduced and then the Ravenclaws. Naturally Lee had things to say. “and at Seeker for the Ravens…The Hawk! The one who ruins all of our fun trying to get past Fluffy, and finds snitches before anyone else knows they are present, the troll-killer himself, Haaaarrry Potter!”

McGonagall yelled, "Jordan!"

Jordan exclaimed, "I wasn't talking about me! I would never try to get past a Cerberus, but that Chess set looked interesting!"

McGonagall screamed, "Jordan, detention!"

Jordan morosely answered, "Yes Professor McGonagall." as the whole student body laughed.

While all this was going on, Harry then shot out of the locker room and into the sky. He performed many acrobatic movements and then landed suddenly in his spot. Eyes trained on the box. Only half the students were paying attention, being distracted by the things Jordan said.

Everyone watched the Snitch being released early, and saw the other seeker loose it. After twenty seconds, you could hear the entire audience groaning when they realized Harry was still tracking something with his unblinking green eyes. ’Wonderful! The Hawk was already locked on target. Another short pointless game!’ many thought.

The box was kicked open and Harry was off like a shot to the side of the stadium. He was soon on the snitch, while the beaters and opposing seeker were trying to stop him. Unfortunately, Harry just rolled and maneuvered around them and kept going. Gryffindor was able to score twice and then Harry had the snitch again.

Lee called out, “Well that’s it, my fellow students! It seems the Hawk is getting better and better…as if that was possible! I honestly don’t know what will happen next year as the Snitch seems incapable of hiding from those green raptor eyes! Here’s hoping they can do something about this. As exciting as it is to see the Hawk hunt, I want to see some quidditch too!” he all but whined. Much of the audience grumbled as they were in total agreement. They wanted more quidditch!

Ravenclaw was cheering at winning the cup for the first time in 8 years! Madam Hooch had a frown, but anyone who knew her, could see a gleam in her eye. This was exactly what she wanted to happen, and the Quidditch officials witnessed it. Now to push the new rules for next year!

Harry presented the Snitch to Hermione, and with a grin she took it before hopping on behind him, and holding him tightly. She kissed his neck and commanded with a sultry voice, “Take me to the showers and strip me Harry.”

Harry blushed and grinned, before shooting off a bit fast.

Hermione screamed, but just held tighter and started laughing as his ardor overrode her fear of heights. He did slow down, somewhat, with a “Sorry.” And still flew fast to the locker-rooms. It was obvious to the entire student body, that Harry wanted to get his witch into the showers!

Soon the other players entered the room to see the two clasping to each other, tightly. Both were washing each other’s arses, as well as their backs. Harry grabbed Hermione’s arse tightly and pulled her hard, against him.

Donna heard Hermione groan with want, as Harry’s fingers aggressively pulled her against him, obviously pressing his penis into her vulva. She called out, “Careful you two. You are both too young to do what you appear to be doing!”

Harry soon barked out “Mine!” as he released between the two of them. Hermione felt his dick spasm against her vulva as he released on her stomach, and shuddered through a mini-climax of her own.

Once it was done, Hermione sighed as Harry released her. She quickly washed his cum off of herself, being careful washing the bit on her vulva to make sure it didn’t get in her vagina.

Donna found herself very relieved, when they separated and it was obvious, they were just 'dry humping'.

Hermione then went behind Harry and grabbed him while he washed his cum off himself, with a grin of contentment on both.

Shelly called out, “I thought you had stopped showering with us, Lady Hermione.” She tried to ask the question nicely, but there was a bit of snippiness in her voice, though not much.

Hermione turned and responded coldly, “No Miss Peasgood. I don’t attend during most practices, as I believe Donna can control you.” She then glanced at Donna, “However, after a game, there is too much excitement, especially when my Harry catches the snitch, for you witches to keep your hands off him.” She then spun Harry and looked in his eyes with a grin, “Besides, I wanted to celebrate his win, too!” she admitted.

Harry, once finished washing, was looking back in her eyes with contentment. He then grinned, and suddenly picked up Hermione, throwing her over his shoulder.

Hermione squealed “EEEK! Harry!” and laughed as he lightly smacked her bottom once and strode from the shower. The look she gave the other witches from Harry’s shoulder was predatory, with a victorious grin.

Donna just shook her head, while the other witches grimaced at that look she gave them. It was half victorious smirk, and half warning. Cho was especially grouchy about it. ’Damn, her!’ she thought bitterly.

Toward the end of April, Harry and Hermione were eating lunch when a student came in and yelled, “Hagrid’s hut is on fire! No one can put it out!” and everyone went to look and see.

Harry took one look at Hermione, and she just shrugged. "We should make sure Fluffy is OK." They, like many of the students had taken Hagrid up on his offer, and met Fluffy. Master Flitwick was right. When she wasn't guarding anything, she was adorable...for a three-headed dog the size of a full grown dragon!

They both rose and ran outside to see for themselves. Yup. Hagrid’s hut was a bonfire.

Strangely, Hagrid wasn’t looking at his home going up in flames, but kept worriedly glancing at an outbuilding where he kept his farming equipment and storage.

Harry and Hermione, were over on that side, making sure Fluffy was fine. She was, as it seemed the large fire didn't bother her at all. Many of the students were gathered around the burning building. They were jabbering and pointing at the fire, while Hooch and McGonagall, were trying to put it out.

Harry had a feeling something was off about the situation and couldn’t ignore Hagrid's worry about that storage building. He, with a look at Hermione, led the two even closer to the storage building.

Suddenly there was a ROAR! and the large double doors of the storage building, exploded outward. A black lizard…no a pony-sized dragon scurried out of it, flapping it’s wings! Between the building and the burning hut, there was a group of six younger students. They were the closest to the dragon. With a growl, the dragon started to scurry right at them!

Hagrid yelled, “Norbert! NO!” and lumbered to try to protect the students, but he was a bit too far away to get there before the dragon.

Harry and Hermione were to the side of Hagrid, but had a clear line of site on the dragon. They instinctively released their magic, swamping the school with their power. The two both cast a powerful depulso charm. Two bright white bolts shot out of their wands, and slammed into the dragon with a thunderclap. The force actually injured the dragon, and threw it across the glen and toward the forest.

Hagrid yelled “Norbert!” again reaching out for it as the dragon tumbled through the air and slammed into the ground near the forest. The dragon righted itself, shook its head, and huffed out some smoke. It then bolted for the forest and was gone.

Hagrid, after watching Norbert vanish into the trees, turned on the two and angrily strode over to them. “Why did you do that? Norbert wouldn’t hurt anybody!” he exclaimed with a frown.

Minerva just saw two firsties repel a dragon, and now Hagrid was confronting them about it…and he was really angry. Realizing the building was a loss and the fire would eventually put itself out, Minerva realized Hagrid was a more acute problem. Hagrid was angry! Hagrid rarely gets angry…but when he does…

What’s worse, the six students who were attacked were Hufflepuff firsties, and went over to protect their Saviors from Hagrid. Minerva just groaned to herself, as one was Susan Bones!

Minerva trying to put a stop to this yelled out. “Yes! Just what do the two of you think you were doing?” she said in open castigation of them.

Harry glared at her, “Besides saving Hogwarts students from a dangerous creature…AGAIN? Hagrid obviously knew the dragon. What was his name? Norbert? What kind of a school is this? A dragon? You can’t control a dragon! Safe for who?” he challenged.

Minerva inwardly groaned. Harry’s arguments were making the students think, and not positive things about the Hogwarts staff! “Still, what were you doing?” she asked forcefully.

Hermione quietly replied, “We came out to see the fire like everyone else. Harry could sense something dangerous about the storage shed, and was looking that direction when Norbert came out, and attacked Susan and her fellow badgers. Harry and I just wanted to push the dragon away and Depulso’d it to the forest. There was no chance for Hagrid to get to the students before the dragon did, so why are you yelling at us? We just saved them.” She paused for a second and frowned, “Are you going to award us five useless points for saving their valueless lives too? Or, because they are pure-bloods, do their lives actually have value the way mine didn't?” she accused.

The students gasped at the accusation, and looked from Hermione to McGonagall, both now glaring at each other.

Minerva just continued to glared at her, realizing Hermione was never going to forget that insult…not that she would in her place, she grudgingly admitted to herself. Minerva rapidly calmed down and replied more normally, “No Lady Hermione. My tone of voice was from worry about you students, not meant as castigation of you.” She glanced at Harry who was looking at her coldly too. Her tone hadn’t made any friends there either.

Minerva looked at Hagrid who was still angry and obviously more worried about his pet…damn him. “Hagrid!” she commanded, “Go collect your dragon before we send hunters to kill it. I will arrange for dragon handlers to collect…Norbert, and take him to the preserve. Understood?” Her tone of voice was finally able to get through to Hagrid and he calmed himself, realizing the threat to Norbert was very real.

Hagrid sighed and nodded. With one further glare at the Potters, he lumbered off to the forest.

McGonagall then turned back to the two. “I take it, no number of points will be seen as anything other than an insult by you two?”

Harry snorted, “Points are valueless as anything other than forcing students to discipline and reward each other using peer pressure…as you know. No part of our permanent record indicates points lost or won during our time here. They only have value to you professors, not us students.” The two of them had felt betrayed and devastated, when Flitwick showed them their permanent records, and how points were no part of it.

Minerva inwardly winced. Asking that question of a Ravenclaw was really short-sited. She knew Flitwick ignored the point system for the reasons Lord Harry just mentioned. She nodded. “Expect to be honored at dinner tonight.” She then walked away while Susan and her friends thanked the two, profusely.

That night at dinner, Harry and Hermione were in their best robes, freshly cleaned. Dumbledore looked slight grouchy. He had argued against the award, but been ganged up on.

In a private meeting with his heads he insisted, “Harry has already received an award for special services to the school. To give another one so soon, belittles it.”

Poppy yelled out, “Why don’t you say that to Madam Bones when you explain to her, saving her niece was worth 5 useless points?” and she glanced disapprovingly at Minerva, who winced at the reminder.

Snape then added, “You really have no choice. Hagrid had an adolescent dragon on the premises. A 5X wizard killer, and it attacked students. Lord Harry and Lady Hermione stopped it before someone was seriously injured…or killed. It’s not our fault, this safest place in Britain…isn’t that safe.” He added drolly.

Dumbledore glared at Snape, and Minerva chimed in. “I already told the two they were being honored tonight.” She glared at Flitwick, “They already told me points would be an insult as they are valueless, as not being part of their permanent record.” she said bitterly.

Dumbledore then looked at Flitwick with disappointment, “And I wonder who gave them that piece of information?”

Filius just shrugged, “I have never agreed with the points…especially when graduating students, who had access to their permanent records, confronted me about it. Don’t expect me to lie for you.” He calmly admonished.

Dumbledore frowned, “Be that as it may. I don’t agree wi-“

Flitwick cut in, “We already know your point of view. I call the vote. I vote for an award for special services to the school to be given to Lord Harry and Lady Hermione for risking their lives to save six other students from a class 5X dragon.” He then looked at his fellow heads.

Sprout immediately voted “Yes!” and looked at Snape.

Snape glanced at Dumbledore and shrugged, “Yes.” He said quietly.

McGonagall looked at Dumbledore. It was obvious he knew the vote was now done, as the majority had already ruled it. She sighed and voted, “Yes.”

Dumbledore glared at his heads, overruling him. It hadn’t actually happened…ever. Still…”I bow to your exuberance and will go along. Yes, it is unanimous. They will be given the award tonight.” He turned to Flitwick, “Let them know to be ready to receive it.”

Flitwick gave a curt bow and ran off.

Once everyone was seated, Dumbledore stood up. “Tonight we honor a student who has already shown us exceptionalism when he saved his wife from a troll. However, this night we don’t just honor him, but also his wife. Both of these students showed bravery, knowledge, a willingness to do what is necessary, and loyalty to their fellow students when they risked their lives to save other students from a dangerous 5x dragon.”

There were gasps from the students, as it was rare, rumors got substantiated.

Dumbledore continued, “Now…even though the situation was under control, and the dragon is already being transported back to its preserve, we will still honor two students who didn’t know the situation wasn’t as dangerous as it seemed, and risked their lives for their fellows.” He assured the students.

Dumbledore then pointed at Ravenclaw, “I give you Lord Harold Potter and Lady Hermione Potter!”

The students started cheering and clapping loudly. Ravenclaw loudly honored two Ravens who showed skill, knowledge, and power. Something any Raven admired.

The Badgers where clapping and cheering loudly, as they were beholden to the two for saving six of their own. Susan and Hanna were very popular and saving them, was especially important to the house.

Slytherin was cheering as what these two did was…impressive, and being on the good side of such a powerful couple was just intelligent. Besides, the whole house knew the two of them were being worked very hard by Draco’s mother, the Baroness Malfoy, in how to act properly as a Lord and Lady. It was obvious to even the most obtuse Slytherin, that Hermione was in no way a mud-blood, as she was being willingly trained in the old ways, to be a proper lady. According to the spy networks, and Draco’s own admission, they were suffering for it, and without complaint.

Gryffindor was mostly cheering as well. Few could deny, Harry and Hermione were brave, heroic, and powerful. They had entered the tall grass and faced the elephant. Even Ron clapped a bit, when Percy smacked him on the head as everyone else was clapping. It was obvious he knew about the award and sat next to Ron, for just that reason.

Soon it was the end of the year and time for finals. Hermione and Harry were both intensely studying, the interesting thing was, they weren’t studying the same thing. Hermione was studying for her classes, and Harry was studying for the journeyman healer’s exam.

Hermione, about one week before finals asked Harry, “Harry, why aren’t you studying for finals?”

Harry looking up from the fourth healer’s tome, replied “I already know enough to pass with high scores. I have no interest in doing ‘better’ as I have a real chance to start my healer’s training next year. A few extra points in astronomy aren’t worth it, compared to getting that apprenticeship!”

Hermione, unwilling to let this go, “But Harry you could do better!”

Harry looked at her and frowned, “To what end, Hermione? This is just first year material in most classes. Well…except for Transfiguration where we are taking an exam equivalent to 6th year concepts, and Charms where we are at 3rd year level. I have 20 more chapters in Magical Maladies, Curses, and Magical Cures, and I will have read all four tomes. I believe I have kept over half of the material…I hope. The exam will show me.”

Hermione realizing she wasn’t going to win this argument, gave a broken smile at Harry “OK Harry! I know you will do well. You will be a great healer, someday!”

Harry smiled and kissed Hermione with appreciation, knowing how much saying that had hurt her.

She instinctively melded to him in surrender, only breaking it off when they both felt his ardor pressing against her core. Harry groaned, spun her about, and lightly smacked her on her bottom. “Stop distracting me, vixen! I have studying to do!” Despite the harsh words, she could hear the smile in his voice.

Hermione grinned at him, twitched her bottom and darted away when he stepped toward her again with a tinkling laugh. Hermione loved it when Harry showed how much he wanted her…despite the fact they were holding off on more than kissing until the summer…and depending on what Hermione's parents allowed.

Chapter Text

Chapter 32

Finals went well, despite both Harry and Hermione, knowing Harry didn’t do as well as he could have.

Soon it was time to see if his effort all year bore fruit. Harry presented himself to Healer Pomfrey. There were three other healers by their garb, and three more students. Harry snapped to attention, “Prospective Healer Apprentice Harold Potter presenting for journeyman’s exam, Master Pomfrey!”

Pomfrey grinned, “Sit down and join the others.”

Harry joined the three other students, all seventh years, obviously trying to secure a healing apprenticeship. They looked at Harry with confusion and irritation that a first year was being allowed to take the exam. Like he had any chance at all to succeed.

Pomfrey continued, “The exam is five hours. If you get up early, you are done. Start now.”

Harry replied, “Ma’am!” and sat down. Harry worked hard on the exam, only stopping when one of the other healers said, “Time! Quills down! You are excused Mr. Potter. Your results will be relayed to you, by Master Pomfrey, in a few weeks’ time. Good luck!” He then turned to the other three. “You three are applying for a St. Mungoe’s apprenticeship and you will not have a specific master, though if you succeed, you will be given a journeyman mentor and a faculty advisor. You will also be notified as to your results in a few weeks’ time. Good day.”

The three students quietly left. talking to each other about how things went, and wishing each other luck on seeing them at orientation in a few weeks.

Students other than the OWLs and NEWTs students. were done prior to those exams. They either played, or some, mostly Ravenclaws, got a jump on summer assignments. The Journeyman exam was given the Friday prior to NEWTs so to not conflict with NEWTs the following week. During the OWLs and NEWTs, the first-year rankings were due to came out.

Hermione was watching all week for them to be posted and when they were, quickly called to Harry, “The rankings are in! Let’s go!” and she dragged Harry over to the board with an excited smile. Fairly quickly, Hermione pushed to the front and instantly saw her name in the first place. The year point totals were also present, and she was in the lead by a fairly ridiculous number of points.

Hermione then scanned down and quickly saw Harry…in third place. Evidently Daphne Greengrass had squeaked past Harry with six more points than he had.

Hermione glared at Harry and with a huff, stormed away.

Harry caught up to her and stopped her. Harry asked, “Hermione! What has you angry with me?”

Hermione huffed again, “You are in third place. THIRD PLACE! That is ridiculous! I know you could have done better!” and she stormed off again. Harry reached for her again, but stopped himself. He had explained his reasoning, but now that it had actually cost him the rank, she was upset again. He just sighed and followed her to their next activity.

The next day, after physical discipline, Hermione kept waiting for Master Flitwick to be angry and lay into Harry.

At the end of class, Flitwick smiled, “All right you two! See you at Magical Discipline this afternoon. Dismissed!”

Hermione looked disappointed and confused. She haltingly called out “Master?”

Flitwick turned with a raised eyebrow, “Yes daughter?”

Hermione glared at Harry, then turned back to her master. “Why aren’t you upset at Harry for dropping to third place? With your tutoring, maintaining that should have been a foregone conclusion.” she insisted with frustration.

Master Flitwick looked at her, “Are you asking me to punish Harry for having different priorities than you?”

Hermione screeched, “NO!” she then thought for a few seconds, answering again, at a more appropriate volume “Well yes...I don’t know.” She looked conflicted, “I’m sorry sir, but I don’t understand why this is fine with you.” she said with obvious confusion.

Flitwick looked at her, “Didn’t Harry explain he was studying for his healer exam? Don’t you think I would consider that far more important than first year exams…especially if he did well?” he asked with disappointment obvious in his voice.

Hermione looked apologetically at Harry, but wouldn't let it go “Did he really do well? I overheard the only other students taking it were seventh years, and everyone thinks Harry wasted his time.” she explained, despite the look in Master Flitwick's eyes.

Master Flitwick, now with a large smile, turned to Harry, “Harry, the quiet word is you passed. It only remains to be seen how far you passed as your scores look to be around 60 percent. There is a possibility that not only did you secure an Apprenticeship, but could have made Journeyman. Obviously, your final goal will be Mastery, which requires 95% with this information, as well as much more, but journeyman requires 60% on the test you took, and you are close! The healers are deciding how to deal with your complete lack of clinical experience. They will likely be pushing you hard in clinicals this summer, to catch you up to your knowledge level. We will decide how to work around your healing apprenticeship once they decide at which rank you will be starting out. Congratulations.” He finished with obvious pride.

Hermione gasped in surprise while Flitwick thumped his chest in salute. Harry with a grin, gave the return salute before leaping forward to hug his master. Flitwick with a grin, took the hug and hugged Harry back. He was very proud. After pushing him away, Hermione then hugged Harry tightly.

She then released him, stepped back, and looked down in shame. She glanced up at Harry with tears in her eyes, “I’m sorry for doubting you, Harry. I knew how hard you were studying all year. I just didn’t realize how exceptional you really were. You are going to be a great healer!” she said, and obviously really meant it.

Harry with a warm smile, stepped forward and raised her mouth up to his, before he gently kissed her. “You were only saying what I thought myself! I needed 25% to become an apprentice. I knew I should be able to get that, but never dared to dream I could get the 60% necessary for journeyman! I hoped, but didn’t dare to dream.” He admitted with a small smile.

Flitwick with a large grin, ordered “All right you two! Off with you!”

They both smiled and yelled, “Sir!” before bolting to the showers.

The leaving feast was in full swing. Slytherin won the house cup while Ravenclaw won the Quidditch cup…though the entire student body said Hawk won the cup by himself. Strangely, the students weren’t too upset about it, though if things didn’t change next year…that would also change.

Dumbledore was sitting there glowering at Harry. He had just heard the boy was now a journeyman healer! ’How am I to get him to sacrifice himself for the greater good, if he keeps achieving reasons to live?’ He then looked at the witch sitting next to Harry, realizing that was most of the problem right there. He then glanced to his left at Flitwick, who was talking quietly to Severus. Doing something about that could really be a problem. Flitwick was willing to harshly punish his apprentices, but would never sacrifice them without extreme cause! And now Poppy was involved!

Dumbledore frowned. He had been forced to return Nicholas’ stone, as he couldn’t justify keeping it, or claiming it was damaged. He was unable to get Potter to even chase the Mirror, much less the third-floor traps! Somehow the compulsions he weaved on the cloak, didn’t work. Harry never sought out the Mirror! Dammit! A Gryffindor would have been easy to manage, but those damned Ravenclaws only studied, studied, studied! He had to stop Quirrell himself, though was gratified to see him completely unable to get the stone from the mirror. At least something went correctly!

He was so distracted by all his different plans going up in smoke, he had completely forgotten the Dursleys had been killed. What a disaster that conversation turned out to be! Harry had been called to meet with him, and of course showed up with Filius and his witch.

(Flash back)
Dumbledore started, “Harry…I know you have expressed doubts about being with the Dursley’s but you need to spend time with your family. You need to accept and forgive.” He cajoled with a soulful look in his eyes.

Harry just started laughing, and Albus frowned. “I fail to see what is so funny, Mister Potter.” He replied, obviously offended that Harry was laughing at him.

Harry looked at him. “Did you forget that my prison guards all died from a mysterious illness this year, Mr. Dumbledore? I do agree, I must spend time with my family, and will be spending the summer with my new family, the Grangers. I do believe we have nothing else to discuss. Have a good summer, Master Snape, Master McGonagall.” He bowed to them, receiving a nod in return. He then smirked at Dumbledore and shook his head while snickering as he left with Hermione.

Flitwick waited until the two were gone, and the door was closed. He then looked at Albus with disbelief, “Are you so addle-minded that you forgot the Dursleys have been removed from your chessboard? How do you expect to be a mastermind of any quality, if you can’t even remember what pieces you have to manipulate?” he asked with derision.

Albus just glared it him, “Yes…I had forgotten you had an innocent family killed to get control of Harry.” He answered sarcastically.

Flitwick growled out, “Watch it Albus! Duende understand manipulation and obligation, but we never sanction purposeful and systematic child-abuse! That family was no more innocent than the Lestrange, and you had Harry tortured for no reason other than to control him! It has been suggested, you were making an obscurus. I wonder if you know just how much you need to destroy a child’s soul to make one of those.” He finished looking at Dumbledore with poorly concealed loathing.

Albus glared at Filius, “I did what I needed to! The quicker Harry dies at Voldemort’s hand, the sooner we can end this threat! The weaker Harry is, the less survival instinct he has, the quicker it ends, leading to many fewer deaths of needed wizards and witches.” He explained absently while obviously thinking about different plans.

Flitwick looked confused, “What nonsense are you talking about?” With sudden understanding his eyes widened, “Wait! Are you really trying to manipulate a prophesy? How could you be so stupid!? Every idiot knows the more you try to force a prophesy, the greater the likelihood you cause it to go the other way!” he loudly exclaimed.

Albus just smirked, “That hardly matters. As long as one takes out the other, we can end this!” he crowed.

Flitwick looked at Albus with disgust. “And what happens if they both decide you are the greater threat, and decide to work together against you?” he challenged.

Albus blanched and looked at him in horror, “They couldn’t do that! That would destroy everything!”

Flitwick screamed, “AND THAT IS WHY YOU NEVER TRY TO FORCE A PROPHESY! YOU STUPID FOOL!!”

Albus looking worried, then confidently nodded to himself, “His heart is on his sleeve. He will lose his will to fight when he loses his witch.” He assured himself, out loud.

Flitwick’s head shot up as he glared at Albus. this was going from bad to worse! Flitwick growled in a low dangerous voice, “The minute Hermione is seriously hurt, or dies, especially if there is an inkling you were involved, will be the day you have created another Dark Lord. This one will be a Full Magus and have the support of the Duende Horde, as you will have harmed one of our kits. Something me and my people never forgive. Between us helping Earl Potter destroy you, the Potter Foible keeping the Aurors from legally interfering, and Voldemort realizing Harry will be hunting you and not him. What does that do to your wonderful prophesy, Albus? Your stupidity will see magical Britain destroyed beyond any ability of it to survive. You will be the ‘maker of dark-lords and the destroyer of Britain’…what a wonderful epitaph, Albus. Prey you do not succeed,” he bitterly concluded, and Filius stormed out in disgust.

Snape looked at Albus in horror. The possibilities Filius mentioned…”Albus, please tell me you have no plans against Countess Potter! Everything Filius said...it would be the end of our world!”

Albus just frowned and glowered at the door through which all his problems just left.
(End Flashback)

When Harry and Hermione came through the arch, they met their parents. Hermione saw her father first, and ran to hug him, closely followed by Harry who ran to hug Emma. Once done, they switched parents and hugged again. All were laughing at the exchange.

With a grin, Dan pulled out an envelope and handed it to Harry. With a look at them, Harry opened it and pulled out an official document. Harold Jameson Potter was now the adopted son of Daniel and Emma Granger. Hermione quickly read it over Harry’s shoulder and gasped with a joyous cry. She pulled Harry’s face to look at her, “We are now officially, your family Harry! Don’t think you won’t still have to marry me in 3 years!” she joked with a smile.

Harry with tears falling down his face, kept glancing at the document, not really believing it. “No, Mine…I look forward to that, as it will mark the date we are husband and wife in both worlds. I am just happy both of our parents will be there to witness our marriage!” He then turned to his parents, “Mum…Pop!” and they all hugged him tightly.

Dan smiled, “Time to go home, son.” Harry just grinned and followed his dad with Hermione in his arms. It was a good day.

While on the way to the car, Hermione asked, “How did you push through the adoption so quickly? I was told they take at least 6 months, and often a year.”

Dan smiled, “Senior Account Manager Grokt helped immensely. It is surprising what the Duende can accomplish, though adopting a teen-aged child without special needs, and the fact both of us are doctors in excellent standing, did make it easier.” He then frowned, “I can’t believe Headmistress McGonagall called them Goblins!”

Hermione huffed, “It is a general fault of the British magical. Their innate sense of superiority, have them mistreating all non-wizards…including mundane! It’s a crime!” she loudly exclaimed.

Harry then waved her down saying, “Calmly Hermione! Remember what Master has taught us, only fight a fight you will win! We all know the unfairness of our world, and the Duende certainly understand life is not fair!”

He then glanced at Hermione with a slight smirk, “Master has made sure we understand that too.”

Hermione huffed at being reminded of her punishment last winter, for not being willing to accept it. She did nod to drop it for now, though her eyes betrayed her irritation.

Harry just kissed and hugged her, letting her know he agreed with her in principle, and she quickly forgave him.

Once they were driving home, Emma looked into the back seat with Harry and Hermione cuddling. “I hear you have some news.” She said with a grin and her eyes dancing.

Harry quickly replied, “Yes! Hermione was number one in our year, and by a huge margin! It’s fantastic!”

Emma smiled, “That’s great, son…but I was talking about rumors that your apprenticeship has changed.”

Harry blushed and mumbled, “They are still deciding.”

Hermione just looked at Harry with disbelief, and loudly exclaimed “They are deciding how to deal with the youngest apprentice to become a journeyman in 200 years! You scored 63%! You needed 60% to become a Journeyman Healer! The only thing holding you back, is the lack of clinical experience! I am so proud of you!” she gushed.

Dan yelled, “Way to go son! I knew you could do it! Remember, your society is forcing you to be a warrior, and that is a good thing, as it will allow you to protect your woman and children. However, you decided to be a healer too, and now no one can say you can’t. You will achieve your dreams, not just theirs.”

Harry grinned at that truth. He was going to be a healer, and nothing would stand in his way!

Soon they made it home. On leaving the garage, they all went to the house. Hermione looked outside and noticed the pool was uncovered. “Cool! You already opened the pool!” She turned to Harry, “Do you want to go swimming, Harry?” she asked hopefully.

Harry looked down, ashamed. “I don’t know how to swim. The Dursleys said I had no reason to learn.” He quietly admitted.

Hermione frowned, and glared at Harry, “Well that won’t do! I am going to teach you, Harry! With your athleticism, body conditioning, and fearlessness, you will learn quickly. Come on!” and she dragged Harry off to their rooms to get ready.

Emma looked at Dan. “Do you think she remembered we are bare in the pool? Do you think she is a good enough swimmer to keep Harry safe and teach him?” Dan looked back at Emma and sighed.

Dan then said, “I knew rushing the pool activation would bite me in the bum. I will join them…if only to keep Harry safe from Hermione’s enthusiasm…and minimize the grab hands.”

Emma smiled and rubbed against Dan. “You are a good father, Dan.” She than gave him a sultry smile, “Tonight I will reward you properly. I won’t be biting you in your bum, but my mouth will definitely be working over your anatomy in a way I have come to know you find…very enjoyable,” she finished whispering in his ear. She pulled away with a coy smile.

Dan grinned, as he felt his manhood stir, and went to get ready for the pool.