"However, what I doubt Neville knows, but I saw, was that young Susan Bones also has her sights set on him. However and as you'd know, Susan has line continuance issues.
"Now, from the body language of Hannah and Susan around Neville, it was apparent to me that those two devious little Hufflepuffs have plans that involve your boy. And it wasn't that hard to figure it out.
"It appears to me that Hannah plans on becoming the next Lady Longbottom with Susan, due to her needing that Line Continuance condition, becoming the Longbottom Concubine to Neville. However, it was also obvious that Neville doesn't realise that's going on.
"After we left and returned to Hermione's place for lunch, I had to pretty much verbally beat him about the head to get him to realise Hannah liked him as much as he likes her. I didn't want to give him a heart attack by telling him Susan has her sights set on him, too.
"While in his heart beats a true lion, in his head cowers a scared little boy who was continuously told he would never be able to compare favourably with his father. I've spent what time I could, over the past three plus years, excising that little boy from his head and replacing it with the lion that also resides in his heart.
"If you decide to negotiate a Betrothal Agreement with Abbott and a Concubine Bond Agreement with Madam Bones, you need to make Neville aware of that quite carefully. In my opinion, though, both girls would be good for him."
Frank was smiling and nodding away as Harry was talking. When Harry wound down, he said, "I was somewhat aware of young Hannah - and, thank you for telling him to talk to me about her - but I was completely unaware of young Susan. However, what you've told me makes a lot of sense."
Then he smirked and turned to Harry with quite the devious expression. "As you seem to be trying to guide me into negotiating a Concubine Bond Agreement for my son, what about one for you?"
Harry sat back and sighed before he said, "My betrothal to Hermione is a small problem with that. I don't know if you're aware of it or not, but muggles don't have those sort of arrangements. They believe each man should only have one wife... and definitely no concubines. They see it as adultery.
"I have talked to Hermione about it, but I've also told her I would not enter into one without her prior approval.
"She asked me if there was any witch for whom I'd be prepared to enter into one and told her Daphne Greengrass and Luna Lovegood were two possibles. And explained why."
Frank immediately said, "Greengrass, because the House of Greengrass is an allianced House; and Lovegood, because the Ancient House of Lovegood could make a worthwhile addition to the Alliance."
"Exactly," said Harry. "However, even if Lovegood did not want to join the Alliance, I'd still consider her because she needs the protection the House of Potter could offer her... at least, she did until Marchbanks became Headmistress."
After discussing matters for a few minutes more, Neville knocked on the door and stuck his head in. "My Lord; our other guests will begin arriving, momentarily."
"Thank you, Neville," his father replied with a nod.
As Neville pulled his head back out and re-shut the door, Frank turned to Harry and said, "Thank you, Harry. I appreciate what you've told me. Again, you're proving yourself to be looking out for the best interests of House Longbottom. Thank you."
"You're welcome," replied Harry, as both Lords rose from their chairs. "But, I'll be honest, this is more 'Harry' looking out for the best interests of 'Neville'. That it's also in the best interests of House Longbottom is just the cherry on top of the cupcake."
Frank just smiled back as he opened the door to let them out.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Just before the guests started to arrive, Hermione and Alice rejoined the 'menfolk' in the welcoming Hall.
As soon as he saw her, Harry carefully checked her expression to see if she was in any sort of distress - she wasn't. If anything, Hermione was even more relaxed than when they first arrived.
When her eyes caught his she softly smiled and gave him a near-perfect curtsey of a Lady acknowledging her husband Lord.
That surprised Harry; and the surprise must have been reflected in his expression, because she suddenly and cheekily grinned back.
While that little silent communication was going on, Frank was directing everyone to their 'places' to greet their incoming guests. Standing in a line at about a forty-five degree angle from the fireplace, the order went Frank, Alice, Harry and Hermione with Frank's end closest. Neville stood a little apart and after Hermione. One of the aurors disillusioned themselves and stood on the 'side' wall facing the welcoming party.
There was one last check with his eyes over everything and everyone before Frank muttered, "Any moment now."
Almost before he could finish the short sentence, there was a soft whoosh of flames and they turned green. A moment later, an elderly witch stepped out of the flames and stepped forward - Molly Fanwater. She was followed by her son, Hamilton.
As per protocol, Missus Fanwater - a widow of the last war - approached the 'receiving line' at Frank's end.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As the guests began arriving, Harry was keeping a close watch on how they each reacted to the presence of Hermione in the receiving line, while they seemed to be more focussed on him. He was surprised to see there was absolutely no negativity directed towards her except from one of the Heirs, Philip Bancroft of the Elder House of Bancroft. He'd keep a close watch on him.
He was pleased, though, to see the very pointed look the young man was given by his mother as they came off the line and Neville was about to escort them away. That was one Heir, it was obvious, who was going to get a tongue-lashing later.
Once the last guests arrived, Miles and Hedda Ogden, Harry breathed a sigh of relief.
Alice heard and gave him a smile of understanding and reached over to give his hand a squeeze of comfort.
"Alright," said Frank. "Let's do this."
As Alice accepted his elbow to be escorted to the dining room, Hermione moved in to take Harry's. And the four walked to the dining room.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Just before the four reached the doors, both ladies separated and wished their respective 'other halves' good luck. Frank and Harry entered as Alice and Hermione headed for the informal dining room.
As they did, the light chatter that was occurring immediately quieted and the people in the room moved to their chairs. Harry was pleased to see that everyone had attended and all the known Heirs were attending and moving to their 'assigned' seating.
He also noticed that Neville, while he was sitting behind and slightly off to one side of his father, also had a Longbottom house elf bring him a lap table. It was already loaded with documents, fresh parchment, ink and quills. And it was apparent he would be taking notes.
The meeting opened and Frank decided that, since it had been so long since the Alliance last formally met, they would forgo the reading of the minutes of that meeting. No one disagreed.
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