The next day Sprout came over to see Harry at lunch. Harry, knowing his head doesn't indulge in casual conversation with students at meals, stood up and said with a half-bow "Madam Sprout, how are you doing this day. I hope everything is going well."
Madam Sprout smiled and played along, "My day is going well. I do have a request for a meeting. The headmaster needs to see us today. I will of course be there."
Harry was no longer smiling, he replied "That is quite impossible. Today is Friday, I cannot guarantee when I will be available as Master Snape is specific and exacting in his requirements. Potion's lab is unpredictable. I will not cut short my brewing, just to suffer through the headmaster's manipulations and word games. How early would you be available tomorrow, madam Sprout?"
Smiling at the game Harry appeared to be playing, Pomona said "I rise early as a gardener. I can make myself available at 6am."
Harry smiled as everybody knew how Dumbledore was notoriously never at breakfast, "Excellent! Please tell the headmaster I will meet him at 6:30 tomorrow morning. I would meet earlier, but my long blade training goes from 4:30 to 6 and I will need time to clean up. That is the earliest I am reliably available. If what ever he wants is important, he will make 6:30 work. If it's not that critical, we can meet Monday after dinner, if that works for you."
Sprout smiled, and said calmly "That should be fine, have a productive day."
Harry replied with a half-bow, "You as well, madam sprout." And Harry sat back down to finish his meal.
Harry had starting his cleaning after a fine afternoon of potioning. Snape came over after class, and quietly said "I appreciated you disallowing the meeting on my Potion days. Albus can be difficult at times. He was really put out when you said 6:30 am, but couldn't say no if he was trying to make the meeting seem important."
Harry smiled, "it really was the earliest reliable time available, not knowing the outcome in this class. Besides, it's good for him to be inconvenienced once in a while, and remind him why we love his little games." Snape just gave a half smile and nodded moving on.
The next morning Harry was dressed in finery befitting his station, sitting next to Hermione, dressed appropriately as well. When Madam Sprout came to collect him, Harry noted her looking at Hermione. With smile, Harry said "I still trust you, this is to put the headmaster off balance, as this conversation can't help, but be about my speech. As my speech indirectly, directly involved protecting my betrothed Hermione, I figured she should be there."
Sprout just grinned. It was a marvelous way to off-balance Dumbledore.
When they entered Dumbledore's office, they saw Snape, Dumbledore, and McGonagall already present. Harry popped his wand and transfigured the uncomfortable chair into a comfortable lounge chair. He then sat madam Sprout in the lounge, as usual. He then again popped his wand, tossed down a block of wood, and with a quiet Hiss transfigured it into a beautiful love seat with the Black and Potter crests on it. He seated Hermione, and then joined her, clasping their left hands showing their rings sparkling together. Dumbledore looked distinctly nonplussed about the theatrics, but could hardly complain having, again, provided one uncomfortable seat.
Dumbledore asked sighing, "Is there a reason Miss Granger is joining us this morning? I don't remember inviting her."
Harry coldly replied, "That's funny, as I expected to see Master Snape and Headmistress McGonagall here, despite you not mentioning them. It must have been another oversite on your part, headmaster. Afterall, I can only assume our discussion today, is about the small history lesson I provided at dinner. Since she is my betrothed and Soul-mate, and the crux of the whole speech, it is only proper she hear our discussion as she weighs heavily in it."
Dumbledore, changing tactics, asked with apparent concern "Do you really want to put her on the spot, hearing me question you for threatening to murder part of the English magical population in her defense? I can't see how she would enjoy discussing you killing enough of the population to be considered another dark lord."
Harry still cold, replied in obvious irritation, "Unlike you headmaster, I find the ignorance of others off-putting. There is little I do not share with my soul-mate. She is more than strong enough to bear the weight of our shared path through life. As to my threats? I considered it my duty to warn your students of the consequences if they significantly harmed my soul-mate. It is no different than the motto of this school. Avoiding a horrible outcome is so very easy to achieve. DON'T DO IT! Honestly, I see no reason we are having this discussion. If Hermione is harmed, not lightly injured, but actually harmed, no force on earth save Lord Black could keep me from reducing this school to a pile of stone and dead bodies. I would think that is obvious. Telling the students the likely outcome, so soon after witnessing the Black Madness, should have even the idiots being careful around her."
Harry turned to look at Snape, "What is the opinion in the PIT, Master?"
With a glance at Albus, Snape replied honestly, "Careful, very careful. Your lecture ruffled some feathers, but the moderates led by Heir Malfoy backed up your claims. He also made it very clear you would gladly extinct many families should she be harmed and what we saw in the great hall was a Magus being restrained by another Magus. Without that…things would be very different. Your display also showed how ineffective their house wards would be to stop you, as you destroyed level 4 dueling wards."
Harry nodded, and turned to McGonagall. Harry asked calmly, "Headmistress, the opinion in the PRIDE?"
She huffed, but also replied honestly "Much messier, but similar. The twins were the voice of reason there, if you can believe it. They basically said, anyone who harmed Hermione would simply cause their family to cease to exist. It is why their brother is being homeschooled, now. They reminded everyone how much effort was expended by Master Snape to restrain you. They asked if anyone thought they could do half as well and survive. The message took."
Looking at Dumbledore, Harry smirked and replied "Looks like my point was well made. Will that be all headmaster?"
Dumbledore yelled, "No, that won't be all! You can't just threaten to extinct families and have everything be fine. This is a school! We still don't know what has petrified the students! What will happen if Hermione is petrified?"
Harry, all false pleasantries gone from his voice, said with menace, "Well for starters, I would buy the mandrake to make the restorative. You have a student petrified and you will wait 'til the end of the year to restore him? Are you going to refund the cost of the education since he is spending the year in a bed as stone? You can't even say if he is suffering, aware or not. You know I am an apprentice healer, I have researched all the medical literature and there is no definitive answer. NO ONE KNOWS!"
Harry paused for effect, "I have experience with your level of caring, about children suffering. The short answer is, you don't! How about you do your job. If there is a danger in the school, get the aurors here, or close it! I'm not the one petrifying students! WE ARE DONE!"
Harry rose and gathered Hermione before leaving. He said nothing, but did nod to Snape and Sprout before walking out.
Sprout was visibly angry and distraught at what Harry said. She then rounded on Dumbledore, "He is right, the mandrakes will not be ready until April. It is ridiculous to make a child lose a year for no reason. What was that about suffering, you insisted the child would remember nothing!"
Snape looked with compassion at Sprout, and answered the question for Albus, "Harry was completely correct. The literature is inconclusive. No one actually knows, as this is a rare malady."
Sprout looked horrified at this outcome, and turned to Snape asking, "What would be the effect of being aware, but unable to move or speak?"
Snape turned cold. He shrugged and said, "Best guess? Being locked in his body while thinking would lead to madness. It could completely destroy his mind. Not even the best mind healers could return someone from that." Snape then glanced at McGonagall with a sneer. He then said, "I am disappointed, if not surprised, his head of house doesn't seem to have a care or opinion."
McGonagall furious Snape would voice such a low opinion of her, defensively yelled "You know Albus has muzzled me! I-"
Dumbledore cut off the reminder, as he had McGonagall on a short leash. He ordered "Silence Minerva! He will be fine! We need to protect the other students!"
Sprout completely furious they were still debating this, screamed "Then call for aurors! NOW! Once the parents realize you sat on this, you will be gone within the week! You have no choice anymore!"
Snape calmly replied, "She is right. You are gambling everything on keeping this quiet and Yule is upon us. If you haven't called aurors here, before winter break, they will be here to remove you, during it."
Albus nodded his acceptance. Pretending it was his idea all along, Albus said "I will call for aurors." Turning to Severus, "Send for the potion from Mungoes, treat the lad." Snape nodded as he left.
Everyone cheered as eight Aurors in their red robes showed up the following week, just before the students were going home for the 'hols. Harry just shook his head. Well, not his problem. His problem was discussing the two apprenticeships and other developments, with his family. Hermione did have an idea, to help her deal with her family. She was aware, they knew she was brutally caned, and she seemed not to care about it. Either the caning or their response to it. Harry was curious how she would resolve this, and if she would need his help.
Fortunately, the Apprentices, the other 2nd year Hufflepuffs, their family, and Draco all stood by Harry. Most of the other students tried to avoid him. Still, it was frustrating to have so many students giving him a wide berth, or turn around when he was coming down the hall, even if he did understand it. He was just happy it kept the money grubbers or fame whores away for a while. Not to mention keeping students from attacking Hermione.
The train ride was uneventful for once. Harry was in a car talking with his friends when Chastity showed up. She stood in the doorway while they were getting situated and said, "Harry, Hermione, everyone. Can I join you?" Everyone just looked at each other and shrugged.
Harry looked at her, "Come here, sis." Holding out his arms with a hug and a smile. She came in and gave Harry a hug sitting on his other side from Hermione. "What happened?"
Chas just huffed, "Nothing serious, Darla came down with a fever, and a serious case of vomiting. I would suspect the twins, but Master Snape put a hard stop to that this year. Besides, it has hit a whole bunch of first years from different houses. I think I heard Ginny was puking all over the place, and taken to the infirmary, this morning. I doubt they would hit their own sister, even to cover their tracks."
Looking sideways at Harry she continued, "Now that we are no longer at school, I can talk to Harry and Hermione without starting a riot, or at least an emotional breakdown of whole groups of students. It may be fun playing politics all the time, but it does get to be too much occasionally. Especially when dealing with the fallout of the Black Madness."
Harry looked embarrassed and concerned for Chastity, "Was it really that bad? I though it was just me, is this effecting you too?"
Chastity looked at her brother like he was an idiot, "Harry, you tried to kill Master Snape. He had to out himself as a Magus to restrain you! If grandpa Black hadn't stopped you, you may have succeeded, or at least torn down Hogwarts in the attempt!" Shaking her head she looked him in the eyes, "No one is OK. No one knows what to do. Your speech made it perfectly clear that family is much more important to you, than their pathetic lives. Slytherins do not ignore information like that. We try to use it…or at least survive it."
Nothing much happened until they got to King's Cross station. As they were saying goodbye to the twins, Molly Weasley showed up. She was yelling about her baby not being on the train. Harry, seeing Chastity looking over to the Weasleys and taking a step that direction, reached out to restrain her. He then shook his head and stepped forward himself. As Harry arrived, he politely interrupted her Molly's ranting at the twins, "Excuse me, but I could not help but overhear your concerns about your daughter. I have been informed she was in the infirmary under the care of Master Pomfrey for a sickness. It seems a whole group of first years, from different houses no less, are feverish and throwing up enough to be barred from the train. I'm sure everything will be fine. You should be able to floo the headmaster for details."
Mrs. Weasley seeing the battle robes, and likely already knowing who he was, insultingly asked, "and you are?" Harry glanced at Fred and raised an eyebrow.
Fred stepped forward and with a grand bow, presented Harry, "Mother, may I present Heir Hadrian James Potter Black, heir presumptive to Earl Black, heir apparent to baronet Potter. Heir Black, I present the Lady Molly Weasley nee Prewett of House Weasley, our mother."
"And why would such a lofty individual as yourself, worry about my concerns?" Molly asked coldly.
Harry looking confused like he could not understand such a question, "Why because any mother concerned about a child, is concern for all. Fred and George are my brother apprentices. As such, I felt an obligation."
"Did you feel an obligation to drive my boy out of Hogwarts?" Molly demanded insultingly.
Harry obviously insulted, became coldly formal. In an emotionless voice, Harry replied "No ma'am, I did not wish to drive Ron from Hogwarts. I was going to kill him. It was because of the request of your sons, my brother apprentices, that he still lives. Good day." And Harry nodded to the twins before walking away. Molly's hand itched for her wand, but seeing the Longbottoms, and Blacks watching her from nearby made that a very poor choice, so she huffed and spun away to go home. Arthur was going to hear about this! Fred and George, just shrugged and followed Percy. They were thinking they should have stayed at Hogwarts.
After watching the altercation, Andy sheathed her wand, and asked Harry seriously "What would make you go over to talk to her?"
Harry snapped to attention at that tone of voice from his mother. He politely answered, "The twins are my brothers, and their mother was concerned about a firstie. It seemed appropriate, especially since Chas knew the reason Ginny was not on the train. I did not want Chas to feel obligated to go over there with the information, so I did."
Andy played the scenario in her head, and could not completely fault it, though the outcome was predictable. She just shook her head, "Always the chevalier, my son. Now I want to hear about the Madness."
Harry relaxed but shook his head, and said "When we get home mother, when we get home." And they, with the Grangers, floo'd to the Tonks' residence, after saying goodbye to the Longbottom, Abbott (they were collecting Susan as usual), Diggory, and Malfoy. All the parents were a touch skittish around Harry, though remained polite…evidently they had heard about Harry's Madness. 'It didn't make sense.' They all thought to themselves, 'There was no way Harry should have been overcome at his young age.'
On getting to the Tonks, the Grangers started in on Hermione. Now that they were no longer in public, her father asked her loudly "What is this we hear about you getting brutally caned multiple times this term? A paddling is one thing, but a harsh caning, at your age?"
Hermione stopped and winced with a big sigh. She then looked at her parents as her mother looked to be in just as much distress as her loud-spoken father. She paused a second and then said, "OK, I wanted to have this conversation later, as it's complicated. However, since you are bringing it up now," At this point Hermione looked around and realized she had Mum and Dad Tonks, her three younger sisters, and Harry, besides her parents all listening. Hermione continued, "we will deal with the issue now. This is better, since it does concern Harry, my betrothed, as well." Hermione motioned for her parents to take a seat. Both quickly grabbed seats on the couch, clasping hands. Hermione internally winced, as this was a sure sign that they were truly concerned, when they attempted to draw comfort from each other.
Hermione sat across from them, pulling Harry down next to her. The others grabbed seats around as well so all could listen in, when Hermione motioned that they were welcome to listen in, too. Hermione then explained, "I am an apprentice. As such, I am at the mercy of my master, on matters of education, and discipline. The fact that I do not have a problem with my punishments should be a clue that things are not quite, as simple as they seem. Can you see your daughter, willingly allow herself to be brutally caned without complaint?"
Juliet was in distress with tears in her eyes, "That's the problem, I can't. I feared you would change while away from me, and you have. You are more confident, more polished, indeed more lady-like, more mature. I am missing everything!" and with tears going down her cheeks, she reached for her daughter.
Hermione also with tears in her eyes, threw herself across and into her mother's arms, hugging her back. Hermione then exclaimed, "I know! There were so many times I wanted you there, to ask your opinion, or just to hug you, and for you to tell me everything would be alright." And she sat between her parents holding her mother's hands, while her father gently hugged her from behind.
Hermione from her new spot continued, "But you have to understand mum. I had no choice. I was given a chance to betroth my best friend, who also happened to be the best wizard in the world, so I did. I was given another chance, to apprentice to the greatest potioner in the world, so I did. Both had a price, and both required it be paid without delay. The least was losing my naivety. I no longer rail at the world about the unfairness of it all. I no longer tilt at windmills. I had to learned the world is painful and those of worth, do not let pain stop them from their goals. They pay the price, and move forward."
Hermione continued with a gentle shake of her mother's hands, "I know the two of you are scared of all the changes in my life. I know you think I rushed into my betrothal, and my apprenticeship. I know, neither of you can understand how I can willing let myself be beaten and caned at the whims of my master, and not care enough to quit. So, I have a present, to give you an inkling of why I do this."
Hermione turned to Harry, "Harry, please get a large wooden spoon from the kitchen." Harry nodded and left. She turned back to her parents sitting on the couch, still looking concerned but somewhat curious. Hermione hoped this actually worked. If it doesn't…anyway she continued, "First we must determine if this potion will work on the two of you since you are not completely magical. We will do this with an experiment." Turning to Harry, she took the heavy wooden spoon he handed to her, "Thank you, Harry." Harry nodded and sat back down across from them.
Hermione then turned to her father holding out her hand, she then instructed, "Dad, give me your hand." He clasped her hand, and she turned his palm face up to have access to his forearm. She then quickly smacked his forearm with the spoon, very hard. SMACK! After hitting him, she immediately let go, as he yelled "OW!", and yanked his hand back cradling the arm. His arm now had a bright red mark where she hit it. He looked at her angry, but quickly calmed down, and was confused when he saw Hermione calmly put down the spoon, and pick up a jar of ointment.
Hermione then got up from between them, and turned to her mother handing the ointment to her. Hermione instructed, "Mom, now take one finger tip's worth of this ointment and spread it on dad's injury. The injury should vanish if the potion works for you." Her mother with a frown of disapproval, opened the jar, took one small scoop of the tan ointment, and started spreading it on the wound. Suddenly Stephen shuddered, and groaned, "Ah!...OoooH….Oh GOD that's great!...Don't stop." As he let out another shudder and had an obvious tent in his pants, which he quickly shifted away moving his hips.
Hermione with a smile said, "That is one successful test, now the reverse." Hermione then turned to her mother and held out her hand while again picking up the spoon. Her mother just looked at her. Hermione stared at her disbelievingly, "Seriously? I know Dad has taken his belt to your bottom, during your role play sessions. Are you that afraid of one whack with a wooden spoon?" Juliet turning bright red just shoves out her arm. Hermione clasped her hand and SMACK! hit her arm, hard.
Juliet exclaimed "Oww! You didn't have to hit that hard." she complained.
Hermione shook her head at her mother's whining, and roughly chided "Don't be a baby, that wasn't hard. Dad, use the ointment. Mom, try not to orgasm in front of everybody." Hermione said with exasperation.
Juliet furious at her daughter disrespecting her so forcefully, "I'm not going toooooo OOOOH GOD!….what is that? WOW!" As she shook through a small climax while Stephen rubbed the ointment on her arm.
Once Hermione had both their attention again, she continued, "Professor Snape is brilliant. He knows as much about training people as making potions. He creates a situation where he canes us with such brutality, my bottom swelled from the trauma. That one smack you whined about, is a joke in comparison. He then forces us to make a complicated potion (holding up the balm) while newly caned as a test of our discipline, pain tolerance, and desire to learn his art. It isn't easy, a senior apprentice grades the quality. I have had to start over many times, my bottom hurting worse, swelling worse, all the while I have to keep brewing."
Hermione continued forcefully, "So how could we tolerate, or even survive, such brutality? This is how. I want you to imagine the most horrific pain, then invert it. Make it feel as pleasurable, no, as sexually pleasurable, as it had hurt. You want someone with whom, you are willing to be intimate, to spread that ointment on your tortured bottom. One time, Harry was unavailable, so Master Snape delayed my punishment until he was available. He knew I would have never forgiven myself if someone other than Harry applied the ointment to me."
Steven confused asked, "Master Snape was willing to put off a punishment without consequences?"
Hermione replied matter-of-fact, "Oh no, there were definite consequences. He gave me a choice. 5 now, or more when Harry was available plus any I had earned in the meantime. I willing took the risk and paid the price. After the test, you now have a small idea of why I waited. Once you complete your task, you will understand completely."
Juliet now intrigued by the test, questioned "What task?"
Hermione calmly answered, "A small inkling of what I'm talking about will not be enough. This discussion is too important for you to lack understanding, so I am giving you the chance, to understand one of the smallest gifts, I am going to learn to produce, in this apprenticeship."
Hermione then got up and went to her trunk. She opened it and brought out a cane. It looks vicious, causing many to gasp. She handed it to her father, and said "Here is your task. On sequential days, take turns being victim. Strip, and bend them over whatever piece of furniture you prefer. You will then cane your partner's bottom a minimum of 5 times, hard enough to make them scream with each stroke. If they can't stand it, tie them in place to finish the beating. Apprentices are not allowed to be tied. Believe me I begged. Falling to the ground, and forcing yourself to get back up into position is as bad as the strokes. You lack that limitation. Don't worry, all damage will be immediately healed, so don't be gentle, it will just weaken the test."
Hermione in all seriousness stated, "I SCREAM with nearly every blow received after the first. Also, after a few, I can't help but fall to the ground sobbing my eyes out while I try to rub the fire away in my bottom. I am then, required to crawl back into position numerous times to finish…but I always return to allow Master Snape to finish. You obviously, won't then be required to spend two hours, brewing a complex potion, but I want you to give each other a few minutes to experience just how much their bottom hurts. Make then walk around the kitchen, cook dinner, or sit in a chair if you want. Once you are sure, they understand the pain, bend them over any surface, and rub the ointment into their bottom. You should be deep massaging their bottom for 15 minutes until the marks have vanished, and all pain is gone."
With a smirk Hermione concluded, "Don't be surprised if the victim, demands at that point to be sexually satisfied. Expect to provide them with multiple orgasms. Once you each have had a turn, we will talk more about your opinions on what I'm describing. I bet you will be begging me for more ointment. See you in two days. I am staying here until you return after experiencing what you need. We will talk about my returning with you then. Be prepared to welcome my betrothed to my bedroom, if you want me home. Goodbye." Hermione quickly hugged her parents with tears in her eyes, and took her stuff up to Harry's room.
The Grangers looked at Harry. He quickly explained "This was her idea. It is really important to her, for her parents to stay in her life. For that to happen, you need to understand what she is doing and why. It is also a test. If you love your daughter and want to remain in her life, you will do this...properly. You won't regret it." Harry then bowed to them, and took his trunk up to his room, joining Hermione.
The Grangers then looked at Ted and Andy, "Are they sleeping together?" Andy said, "They are both under 14 so would never have sex, as that could kill Hermione. They know that. We also have wards in case they engage in teenage stupidity to stop them. They would both definitely be caned for such an egregious offense." Looking at her three daughters to let them know how serious this was. Turning back to the Grangers, "As to petting, hand-jobs, or even oral? Such is not against the rules, since they are Betrothed. We have no idea how far they have progressed, and if they are appropriately discrete, may never know."
Noticing that Andy said this in front of her younger 3 daughters, definitely showed how little she cared about such activities, which gave the Grangers pause. The Grangers, then made their excuses and were popped home, with the cane and the ointment. They had some homework to do.
Within a few minutes, Tonks popped in, "I'm Back!" Looking around the room at the serious faces, she complained "AWW, what did I miss?"