===June 9 1992===
Much to their surprise no one said much of anything when they told all of Gryffindor they were dating. Though they could feel 3 pairs of knowing eyes watching them.
Sure enough when they departed for their separate rooms Ron confronted Harry, but it was just to congratulate him and assure him he'd keep the secret.
So when Hermione was sitting on a couch reading everyone knew she was waiting for Harry. As soon as he walked down the stairs she smiled and they went to the Great Hall hand in hand.
As they finished their breakfast the mail came and a letter was delivered to each of them. Hermione quickly opens and reads hers.
Hermione Jean Granger, we hereby inform you that your marriage contract to Harry James Potter is being contested by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. A formal hearing will be held on June 15th, 1992 starting at 8 am.
This letter serves as permission for you to leave Hogwarts in search of legal representation. Mister Dumbledore has been informed that he is not to talk to you or interfere with you leaving to seek legal counsel as such actions would immediately dissolve his case. Also as Mister Dumbledore is listed as your magical guardian you are hereby allowed to find somebody else to be your magical guardian.
Signed,
Blunttooth, Gringott's Legal Department
Hermione looks up from her letter and peeks at Harry's seeing it's the same just with the names reversed. "We need to see Professor McGonagall." Hermione says.
Harry nods and they quickly make their way to McGonicall's office where Hermione knocks. "Enter." McGonagall says and they do. "Miss Granger, Mister Potter, what can I do for you?"
"Since you provided such invaluable advice previously. I was hoping you might have some now." Hermione says, handing her the letter.
McGonagall sighs as she reads the letter. "I was hoping he wouldn't do this. He's going to contest the memory being a fake. I'm sure."
"What do we do?" Harry asks.
McGonagall grins. "My advice is to obtain legal counsel." She gets up and goes to the fireplace. "I've taken the liberty of talking to some people in case this happened. Can I call the lawyer I'd suggest?"
"That would be great!" Harry says.
McGonagall tosses some powder into the fireplace. "Edward Tonks, Minerva McGonagall requests your presence in her office post haste."
Both Hermione and Harry look at each other confused when suddenly a gentleman appears in the fireplace. "Minerva, pleased to see you again."
"Ted, welcome." Minerva says. "Let me introduce you to Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. They are in need of your counsel."
"Pleased to meet both of you. I am Edward Tonks, but please call me Ted." He says extending his hand to shake theirs and they both do. "How may I be of assistance?"
Hermione hands him the letter. "We could definitely use your advice."
Ted takes the letter and reads it. "Hire me so we can have the conversation we need to."
Harry hands him a galleon. "I have full access to my vault. I'll pay whatever is fair, will this serve as a retainer?"
They all look at him. "My aunt likes legal shows and movies. While I wasn't often allowed to watch most of them I did pick up a few things." Harry answers the unasked question.
Ted takes the galleon. "It'll work just fine. Remind me to circle back to your relatives later."
"If I don't have to go back to their house then I want nothing to do with them, even legally speaking." Harry says.
Ted nods. "Very well, if you change your mind let me know."
"I will."
Ted nods. "Can I see the contract in question?"
"Here." Hermione says, pulling her copy out of her robes and handing it to him.
Ted reads the contract. "Seems pretty basic."
"This might help." Hermione says, handing him Lily's letter.
Ted reads the letter. "Do you have the memory with you?"
"Actually I've been keeping it for her." McGonagall says as she pulls the vial out of her desk and transfigures a pensieve, pouring the memory in.
Ted views the memory then turns to them. "So I'm going to assume his plan is to question the validity of your magical lineage."
"How do we stop that?" Harry asks.
"We'll need to officially get your lineage verified." Ted says. "Might as well have you both done at the same time."
"Sounds like a plan." Hermione says. "When can we do that?"
"Who is your acting magical guardian?" Ted asks.
"I am until they decide otherwise." McGonagall says. "And they may come and go as they please."
Ted nods. "Then we'll take the flue back to my office and we'll go to Gringotts from there."
#####
They enter Gringotts and Ted walks up to the goblin. "Greetings, may I please speak with someone about getting two lineage tests done?"
The goblin nods and says something to the goblin behind it in their own language then turns back to Ted. "Please take a seat on that bench, someone will be with you shortly."
Ted nods and goes to the bench motioning for Harry and Hermione to sit with him. After a while a goblin comes up to them. "I'm Rustlik. I'm impressed that you waited this long without complaining."
"You have business to attend to, and I didn't schedule an appointment in advance." Ted explains. "Waiting was expected."
Rustlik nods. "Come with me and I'll perform the lineage tests." They follow him back to a room with a silver table, a silver knife sits on it. "Who is first?"
Harry steps forward. "I will go first. What do I need to do?"
"Take the knife and cut the palm of your hand. Then place your hand palm down on the table." Rustlik instructs. Harry takes the knife and does as instructed. Writing starts to appear on the table. "You may remove your hand now."
Harry removes his hand, flexing it as he sees the cut healed. Slowly he watches as his family tree grows backwards. He gasps as he sees a familiar name. "Am I reading this right?" Harry asks.
Rustlik looks at the table then at Harry. "I need you to wait here. I have to go get another goblin." Rustlik runs off.
"What is it Harry?" Hermione asks.
"Look at my father's line." Harry says.
Hermione follows the line then stops. "That's impossible!"
"I'm afraid not." A new goblin says. "Though we do have to redo the test in a slightly different table that can not be wrong. It looks like you are the heir to Godric Gryffindor."
"We're going to need a sealed copy of the proof." Ted says. "And whoever performs the test might need to testify at a hearing."
"We have something better. Please follow me." The goblin starts to walk off. "Forgive me, I neglected to introduce myself. My name is Ragnok, executive branch manager of this branch of Gringotts. I will personally be doing your retest."
"Pleased to meet you Ragnok." Ted says. "I'm Edward Tonks, but please call me Ted. I am the acting attorney to these two here: Harry Potter and Hermione Granger."
"Oh yes, the marriage contract. Congratulations." Ragnok says.
"It's being contested." Ted says.
"Ah, now everything makes sense." Ragnok says. He leads them to a door. Once there he pulls a key on a string off his neck and opens the door.
They walk into the room and see a magnificent silver table. The edges of the table are beset with numerous precious gemstones. Ragnok puts on a pair of gloves and pulls out an equally ornate box which he opens revealing a dagger, the blade and hilt both having many gemstones in it.
"What a magnificent blade." Harry says.
"It's one of our greatest treasures." Ragnok says as he grabs the dagger with his gloved hands. "Extend your non-wand arm, I'm going to have to cut your wrist. The dagger will take blood until all the gems glow and heal you once it's done. There are blood replacement potions on the wall."
Ted grabs a couple potions as Harry extends his left arm. Ragnok carefully cuts into Harry's arm. The blade turns red and the gems glow one after the other. Once the diamond on the pummel glows Ragnok pulls the blade away. Harry sees his arm is unmarked. Ted quickly gives him the potion. Harry gratefully drinks it down.
Ragnok takes the dagger and stabs it into the table instantly Harry's name appears and once again it branches backwards. They watch as it branches in ways it hadn't before showing his grandparents on both sides. The line continues upwards through the generations.
"There you have it." Ragnok says once the table shows it. "You are officially the heir of Gryffindor."
"Wait heir?" Harry asks.
"Thr Gryffindor line is patriarchal, it the oldest male in line. If that line ends it can be picked up by either a younger male or a direct cousin. Much like royalty you have the most direct line to it. According to this, the next in line is currently the last. His name is Neville Longbottom." Ragnok explains.
"What does that mean?" Harry asks.
"I'll explain that later." Ted says. "Let's concentrate on why we're here right now."
"Are we done here Mr Potter?" Ragnok asks.
"Wait, you said something about Neville Longbottom being the next in-line for Gryffindor, so we're related somehow?"
Ragnok nods. "Look at your grandfather on your father's side, he was brother to Mister Longbottom's grandmother."
"So she'd be my great aunt?" Harry asks.
"That's right." Hermione says.
"I have some magical family then." Harry smiles slightly. "I kind of feel bad, I haven't been the best of friends to Neville."
"Make the effort when we return, tell him why. He'll understand." Hermione says.
"Thanks Hermione, that makes me feel better." Harry says then looks to Ragnok. "We're done with me."
"Very good." Ragnok says as he turns the blade and Harry's family tree all goes to a red gem that pops off the table. "Grab the stone Mister Potter. Only you and those you permit to do so may touch the stone."
Harry grabs the stone. "This looks irreplaceable."
"It is." Ragnok says. "Godric Gryffindor himself sat down with the goblins and made this table, this is the first time it's been used since then."
"I'm honored." Harry says. "I almost hate to ask you to use it again, but I can feel the magic in the stone in my hand. I have irrefutable proof of my lineage here. Now I beg of you Ragnok please allow my betrothed the honor of using it too."
"You are the heir of Gryffindor." Ragnok explains. "The table is as much yours as it is ours. We would be honored to use it on your betrothed."
Hermione steps up to the table. "Thank you for this honor Ragnok." She holds her left arm out over the table.
Ragnok twists the dagger back to its original position and pulls it from the table. He wipes it with a cloth before cutting Hermione's wrist. As soon as the diamond on the pummel glows he removes it from her wrist.
Hermione looks at her unmarked wrist and starts to fall to the side Harry quickly grabs her, steadying her. "Ted, potion."
"Sorry Harry." Ted says as he hands Hermione a potion.
Hermione quickly downs the potion. "Thank you."
Ragnok stabs the dagger into the table. "Here you go Miss Granger."
Hermione watches the family tree grow until she gasps. "You've got to be kidding me." Ted says.
"Looks like it's a good thing we used this table." Harry says.
"I can't believe it. I'm a descendant of Rowena Ravenclaw?"
"Not just a descendant." Ragnok says. "You're the heir."
Hermione looks at the table. "But there are other people still alive older than me."
"The Ravenclaw line is matriarchal, it only passes down the female side." Ragnok explains.
"My mom?"
"She does not have enough magic to claim to be the heir." Ragnok answers. "But enough to sign a marriage contract."
Hermione looks again and can see the direct line of women that led to her. "How was this not known?"
"Like the Gryffindor line it was thought to have died off. There is no one after you. So if you die before having a daughter the line would end."
"No pressure there." Hermione remarks.
Harry squeezes her hand. "If you don't want children you could let the line die, you didn't even know you were part of the line until moments ago. You shouldn't feel obligated to it."
"What about you?" Hermione asks. "Do you want children?"
"I honestly don't know." Harry says. "I always figured if I lived long enough for that to be an option I'd discuss it with my wife then."
Hermione nods. "I suppose with how you were raised I shouldn't be too surprised. I think I'd like to be a mother someday. I know I'd like to have a little girl." She looks at Harry. "With her father's piercing green eyes."
Harry nods as he runs his fingers through Hermione's bushy hair. "My eyes and your hair."
"Poor girl is in trouble and she's not even conceived yet." Hermione says.
Harry chuckles. "So true."
"Miss Granger, are you done with the table?" Ragnok asks.
"Oh, of course." Hermione says. "This is just so much to take in."
Ragnok nods as he turns the dagger and a blue gem pops out of the table. Hermione quickly grabs it. "If there is nothing else I'll see you next Monday, if I'm still needed." Ragnok says.
"Thank you for everything." Hermione says.
"We need to go back to my office. I have much to tell you." Ted says.