Nothing much of consequence occurred until after the NEWTs. Tonks was celebrating finishing them in the common room with other 7th years, when Harry and Hermione came in and sat down together with their bodies touching as usual. Tonks looked over at them, "The love birds! How are you two doing? Any more Spanky, Spanky going on?"
Harry sighed unconsciously putting his arm around Hermione, "Tonks that wasn't even noticeable. Have you lost your touch?"
Tonks just glared at him and replied, "Ha Ha. Anyway, I hear you are coming home with me, little bro. I will have to introduce you to the next ferocious Black Trio!"
Harry just raised an eyebrow.
Tonks explained, "You know, my sister and two cousins. It's too soon to tell, but they could become the next Black terror trio here at school."
Harry nodded, "Ah, yes."
Hermione broke in, "Tonks I had a question. Professor Snape mentioned higher mysteries, Ritual Magic and Nudity. What was he talking about?"
Tonks switched over to lecture mode instantly. She replied, "Ritual magic, if you haven't learned about it at home, is first discussed in 2nd year Magical Theory. In short, its group sympathetic magic used for many powerful things too difficult for a single wizard to accomplish, like growing crops, animal breeding, advanced healing…and having children. The big one you must learn is nobles always conceive in ritual. You my dear, are a very valuable first-gen. Even if you don't end up as his countess, I guarantee anyone you were married to would require ritual conception. Yes, full on sex, culminating in his ejaculation inside you, while numerous fathers and mothers entreating your successful fertilization in ritual. It makes getting pregnant almost guaranteed, and significantly increases the chance of a healthy and powerful child."
Hermione jumped up and exclaimed, "I'm going to have to have sex, IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE??"
Tonks looked at her and ordered, "Calm down, Hermione! We all do it! It makes getting pregnant when you want to, much easier! You are muggle raised, so you don't understand that while we appear Victorian, we are not prudes. Nudity, no problem, watching or having both casual or formal sex with witnesses, no problem!"
Hermione then sat back down and Harry hugged her again. She looked around and said, "But I haven't seen any nudity or sex going on at Hogwarts!"
Tonks smiled and explained, "Ah, you are a first year. There are wards that hide such things from you. Once you achieve your 2nd maturation, the notice-me-not will not apply to you. You still can't have vaginal penetration until 14, so watch it! Heck, we have a bit of a hedonistic explosion going on right now! On the other side of this room three 7th years are celebrating life and the end of the exams, with a little menage-a-trois, you just can't notice it yet."
Tonks went over to the other side and yelled, "Hey, you three, take it upstairs, NOW! You know the rules, be discrete!"
Suddenly, three sheepish 7th years could be seen, holding clothes up to cover themselves, and running up the stairs.
Hermione looked around, now scared. Harry hugged her and kissed her on the forehead, saying, "Shhh, It's OK, mine. Even if I was, ever, in the mood to share, I would certainly ask you first."
Tonks coming back, just chortled.
Harry then asked, "Hey, you never told me what you are doing, now that you have graduated."
Tonks smiled and enthusiastically replied, "I'm off to the Auror Academy. I didn't want to say until I was accepted…and I'm accepted! My scores were high enough to get in straight, without having to join the MLE first. As you know…or don't. You have the MLE (Magical Law Enforcement) Officer. Normally there is a 6-month course to become MLE. Then after serving for 2-5 years, the top 10% can become Hit-Wizards. The normal MLE aren't really heavy hitters, so when things go 'pear-shaped', they call for the Hit-Wizards to take down the bad guys. These guys also do the bounty hunting. There is a 6-month training program for them too. After 2-5 years there, the top 10% can join the Auror Academy. A two-year training program, three for those few of us who get in straight from Hogwarts. The Aurors are the top heavy-hitters sent to take down Dark Wizards and Monsters threatening communities. They are also the investigative detectives for any unsolved crimes, and the officers in the force, you know the lieutenants, captains, and commanders. At the Auror Academy you are expected to start your Masters in law, and possibly also in DADA. Both of those masteries are required to become a Master Auror, Head Auror, or Department Head of DMLE."
Tonks continued, "This is why I was 'casual' with my relationships at Hogwarts. It is uncommon for a wizard to tolerate allowing his witch to be in a serious career, and very rare to tolerate something this dangerous or time consuming. However, I insisted and Lord Black had no real problem with it…as long as I promised to get into a relationship and try to have my first child before 40."
Hermione asked with a frown, "Isn't that kind of late?"
Tonks shook her head and replied, "It is unusual…but not a real problem. While muggle women start having problems conceiving in their 30s, witches don't start those problems until their 60s, especially if they are a sorceress like we are. I could easily squeeze out two or three before it became an issue. Especially, with the help of ritual. The problem is most wizards expect to see their wife pregnant and at home immediately."
Hermione glanced at Harry with worry. Harry seeing her look, exclaimed, "Hey, I love that you are brilliant, and I want to see you do something truly worthy of that brilliance. I don't expect us to have the children until mid-30s too. However, once we are both ready for sex, I hope to enjoy 'practicing' making them long before we are ready to become parents."
Tonks looked at Harry, "You know, we all thought it was a learned behavior, but it must be ingrained in you Potter men…women too for that matter."
Looking confused, Harry asked "What?"
Tonks smirked and replied, "You all look, and often find, your mate young. It is always somebody with the three B's: Bashful, Brainy, Bookish. Hermione certainly applies."
Harry just looked in Hermione's eyes, "I couldn't imagine wanting anything else."
Hermione blushed and dropped her eyes before she quietly replied with emotion, "Keep saying wonderful things like that, my Lord, and I can guarantee we will do all the practicing you want."
Tonks snorted and warned, "Not until you are 14, Hermione, not until you are 14."
Hermione with a hungry look in her eyes and a smirk, replied hungrily "There is no age requirement for sucking him off, is there?"
Harry's face was shocked, then scared, then confused, then slightly hurt when it became obvious, Hermione was teasing. Tonks just howled.
Later, on the train, Hemione and Harry were going over their summer assignments. They had already finished the 'normal' assignments at school, but the extra ones were tricky and would take some planning. Harry had asked Tonks for their phone number (they had one!) and given it to Hermione, while also getting hers. They planned to spend much of the summer at least in communication, if not outright meeting regularly. Hermione did mention her family would spend July in France like usual so that time was out.
Once the homework was sorted, Harry asked, "Have you discussed me, with your parents? Specifically, about the betrothal?"
Hermione replied, "I have certainly discussed you. I haven't said you wish to betroth me. I'm not sure they are ready for that, and it didn't seem like a conversation to have in letters. However, Dowager Countess Longbottom is now my magical guardian and my Protectee status is official. I think we will need to have her over to have a heart to heart with my parents…you too. As you know, you must ask for my hand from my father."
Harry took her hand and replied confidently, "Gladly Mine. We will pick a time and I will see if the Tonks can help too. Let's plan for it when you return from the Mediterranean. I want to visit your house a few times so your parents get to know me prior to the discussion."
All their friends came by and everyone wished each other a good holiday. Everyone also promised to write, and arrange a get together during the summer. Harry promised to contact Draco and Neville over the summer about getting together. For more training if nothing else.
Once they were back to King's cross, Harry and Hermione stepped off the train. Off to one side was a large group of people including the Tonks, Gran, Cissa, and the Grangers!
Hermione ran over, gave a very quick hug, and stepped back. She then curtseyed, "Greetings Father, Mother, may I introduce you?"
Her mother with a proud smile, replied warmly "By all means, please introduce us to your friends.", as Neville, Harry, Draco, and Tonks joined the group.
Hermione stepping to the side curtseyed, "Father, Mother I introduce Heir Harry James Potter Black, heir presumptive to Earl Black, heir apparent to Baronet Potter, apprentice healer. Heir Neville Longbottom, heir apparent to Earl Longbottom. Heir Draco Malfoy Heir presumptive to Baron Malfoy, member of House Black. Auror Candidate Nymphadora Tonks of House Tonks, member of house Black. My lords and ladies, I present my parents, Doctor Stephen Granger and Doctor Juliet Granger.
Steven Bowed "I am honored to make your acquaintances Lords and Lady" and Juliet curtseyed "Pleased to meet you."
Harry stepped forward and shook Stephen's hand and bowed kissing Juliet's hand saying, "It is an honor to meet the parents of such a special witch. Please call me Harry."
Neville, stepped forward greeting them, "It's an honor, please call me Neville."
Draco stepped forward, "Greetings, please call me Draco."
Tonks stepped forward (and the children were shocked her hair was black and not pink), "Pleased to meet the parents of my friend Hermione, please call me Tonks, I insist."
Harry then turned and faced the group introducing Hermione, "And last but not certainly not least, "I present to you, Protectee Hermione Jane Granger, of New House Granger, protectee of House Longbottom."
Hermione then curtseyed, "Very happy to make your acquaintance, please call me Hermione."
Harry continued, "Can I assume all of you have been introduced to each other?"
Gran smiled and replied, "Yes Harry, we introduced ourselves to each other, while waiting for the train."
Harry with a troublesome grin said, "Well since everyone is now family…." He then looked at Neville and had a nod in return. He and Neville jumped forward and hugged Gran, yelling "GRAN!"
"You scamps! I should paddle you both!" Gran exclaimed blushing, trying to look angry, and failing miserably. They both stepped back grinning like loons and bowed.
Harry looked at Hermione, "Come over here and greet your magical guardian."
Hermione, looking a bit unsure, stepped forward curtseying, "Hello, Dowager Countess Longbottom"
Gran waved that away and said, "None of that. In informal settings, call me Gran." Glancing at Harry, "I suspect it will be official before long." Hermione dropped her head blushing. "Head up child. Your bashfulness was useful in catching a Potter, but now you need to be fierce to keep him!"
Steven looked confused, but his wife said, "We will talk at home. It's nothing bad." Looking at Hermione, "Say your goodbyes dear." Then to Gran, "We will call you to arrange a meeting, or at least a get together this summer. Goodbye Gus."
Hermione turned to everyone and said, "Good bye everyone, we will Owl to arrange a get together this summer!" she turned to Harry and just stopped.
Harry with a broken smile whispered, "I will miss you, Mine. I will miss my best friend so much!"
Hermione just threw herself into his arms hugging him fiercely "I will call you tonight at 9pm, be waiting!" and she quickly broke the hug, suddenly walking away while dashing some tears from her face, and forcing her parents to rush their goodbyes and catch up.
Gran just looked at Harry with a sad smile. "We will work on the betrothal, Harry."
Harry just hugged her again quietly saying "Thank you."
Tonks said, "Wow. I've heard of the Potter foible, but damn, you work fast!"
Harry turned to her, "Get used to it, sis, you will be seeing a lot of that lady in the future!"
Harry turned to the Tonks, "Now where are the terrible trio. I want to meet my younger sisters!"
Ted snorted, "Terrible trio…you've been telling tales again 'Dora." He turned to Harry, "They are at home…hopefully not burning down the place. You will meet them there."
Ted then stepped forward and looked closely at Harry's eyes, "You do have the Black mark! It's good to meet you son." Smiling he continued, "I've wanted to say that for a very long time. I hope you don't mind."
Harry just threw himself forward and put Ted in a bear hug, "I've always wanted a father. Can I call you dad?" he asked hopefully.
Ted surprised and with tears forming in his eyes, "I would like that. Yes, I would like that very much."
Andy just smiled, "Goodbye Gus, we will be in touch. Cissa, we will see you later. Come on son, we need to introduce you to your new home."
Cissa looking sad, just sighed, "I'll be there later. Come along, son, we need to get home too."
Everyone broke up and went to their separate homes.
Harry asked, "So what car do you drive?"
Ted replied, "An Aston Martin DB1 for play. A Toyota Landcruiser for family excursions, why?"
Harry looking around replied, "Just wondering what to look for."
Ted laughed, "We aren't driving home, we are apparating." He led Harry, with Andy and Tonks following, to the Apparation point. Ted said "Hold my hand, this is going to be rough as side-along is worse than doing it yourself." Harry was pulled through the hosepipe and landed.