Harry and Hermione did not come down for the evening. The next morning Harry, after his predawn workout, was sitting at the kitchen table when Andy came down, joined by Tonks. Harry looked at Tonks, and raised an eyebrow. Tonks, her hair turning darker pink, groused, "After 6 months waking at 5 am every day, I can no longer sleep in. Sue me."
Andy just clucked shaking her head and turned to Harry. She asked compassionately, "How is Hermione?"
Harry looked down. He started answering quietly without looking up. "She spent most of the night crying. She finally fell asleep in the wee hours while I held her." He then looked up in his mother's eyes and continued, "It tore her heart to do that to her parents, but she needs to shake them up as badly as she personally needed to be. Afterall, she got her stubbornness from her father, and her adventurous nature from her mother. She is hoping this will do the trick, but is worried, they won't go through with it."
Andy tried to ease Harry's pain, and said "I wouldn't worry too much, your words to them after Hermione left, cut deep. I think they will follow their instructions."
Harry then pulled out a case of memory vials, and put them on the desk. Pointing to them, the said, "These are the pertinent memories of this last half year. We will need grandfather's pensieve, and he will want to see the 2nd set anyway."
Turning to Tonks, he said "The first set is our betrothal, for you to witness, though everyone else can of course see it again. The second is Master Snape's memory of my altercation and madness. He was generous enough to give me a copy of his personal memory of the altercation. Lord Black will want to see it. The ring activated inappropriately, and forced me into the Black Madness."
Tonks was ecstatic at the idea of seeing the first memory going rainbow colored, but turned dull grey as she realized what Harry was describing with the second. She looked at Harry with some disbelief, "You aren't joking, are you? You suffered the Black Madness? At your age?"
Harry sighed, "Yes but the ring forced it to control me. We are hoping it won't happen once I go through my second maturity. I just need to live long enough to do that."
Andy smacked him on the back of the head and said, "NOT Funny!"
Harry just shrugged, "Just saying." he said with noted fatalism.
Later that day, Harry brought Hermione down, and they had something for lunch. Tonks had joined them and commented, "I need to resume my work outs. This vacation is a bit of a test, as I was quietly warned when we return the instructors will punish any erosion of our skills or condition." She then smirked at Harry, "I have heard you were with Lord Black being trained when I left. Fancy having a go with me?"
Harry put down his silverware, as he like the idea. He said, "That is reasonable." Turning to Hermione, he noticeably changed to a colder more commanding persona. Harry said to her, "Hermione, you missed your last dueling class, so we will make it up now. As instructor Black, I insist. Go down to the dueling room. NOW!"
Hermione saw the look in Harry's eyes, and realized he was in instructor mode. As such, any delay would immediately become painful. Hermione, hearing the command, jumped up and ran for the dueling room. She realized this was exactly the distraction she needed.
Once they reached the dueling room, Harry said "We haven't tested you since the beginning of the term." Harry took a position across from Hermione and ordered, "Hermione, prepare yourself!" This time Hermione instantly readied her wand and took defensive posture 4. Her weight was on the balls of her feet with them appropriately spaced and knees bent. Her left arm was in a position to aide in balance. She was watching Harry closely. Harry nodded standing apparently at ease. "Attack!"
Hermione immediately started yelling curses and charms while diving left and right attempting to stay at range. Harry had popped his wand and was swatting Hermione's spells away as very few were missing. He then sent a chain of spells, and Hermione immediately shielded. The shield was shattered on the fifth spell and she was disarmed.
After he returned the wand, Harry was smiling, "Excellent Hermione! You really are improving! Nicely done!" Hermione was grinning as she thought she had done well too. They heard clapping as the four daughters and their parents were watching from the side. Hermione still grinning curtseyed to them.
Tonks shook her head, in disbelief, "A second year with a shield holding off multiple spells. You silent casting and spell SWATTING?"
Harry went to the opposite side of the room, and barked, "Cadet Tonks, STEP UP!"
Tonks instinctively snapped to attention yelling, "Yes instructor!" she then paused realizing this was Harry barking at her and growled, "You will pay for that Harry. I hope you know how to fight. Dueling wards level 3 activate."
Harry with a vicious smirk, said "Ready cadet?" On the start of Tonk's nod, he yelled, "Attack!"
Tonks had popped her wand, and thought this was going to be easy...then Harry MOVED. Harry was running straight at her with a knife in his left hand! She quickly sent three stunning spells his direction while trying to back and circle. Harry just swatted the first two away, and the last one straight at her groin! She had to shield, which slowed her and allowed him to get in range. Just before Harry could slash her with the knife, Tonks blasted him away with a blasting curse, that Harry shielded. His shield held! She then apparated to the other side of the field and started going through her 3 main spell chains.
Harry shielded, dodged, and even summoned some stone blocks for the heavier spells. This was ridiculous, Harry was a 2nd year! What the hell? Harry was using spell chains silently? Point casting? Tonks went to her 4th chain to drop heavy hitters, and finally dropped Harry. She found herself going down to her own knees out of magic, against a 2nd year! If her instructors ever heard of this!
Both Tonks and Harry acknowledged the end, and the wards were dropped. Harry was able to return to his feet and said, "Nicely done Tonks, nicely indeed. Mum can still take you, however."
Tonks sarcastically said, "Ha Ha, no kidding! I will be lucky to take her when I finish my training in the next two years. Merlin Harry! You are a second year. I am the top of my class; you would be second!"
Harry replied, still winded, "Lord Black has exacting requirements. They were transferred to Dueling Master Flitwick and Master Snape. They both press me nightly. I should be able to take them in 4 years at my current rate of improvement."
Tonks just said, "Harry, you haven't undergone your 2nd maturity. I don't want to know what kind of monster you will be with your 2nd maturity, much less the third!"
"When you see the memory, you will see the monster I am becoming."
Tonks shook her head in denial and said, "I don't know if-"
Chastity venting at being scared from the memory, interrupted, "No you DON'T. I was THERE, standing by Hermione when that idiot sent a cutting curse into Hermione's arm. Master Snape must have seen something I missed, because he suddenly yelled "Dueling Wards Level 4 Emergency!" and the wards went up howling. At the same time, he had yanked Weasley out of the dueling field. A Black Bolt shot from Harry and obliterated the other side of the field, burning it with the Black Fire. Weasley would not have survived being hit, since it was powerful enough to crack the wards. Harry ran to our side and seeing where Ron went, sent another bolt at Ron. The backblast caught him and Harry then activated BLACK STARS. Harry activated SIX BLACK STARS!"
After a pause she continued, "He then easily blasted apart level 4 wards and attacked Master Snape! If Master Snape wasn't a Magus himself, he would be dead! At this point an elf popped my away. I don't know how the castle remains standing."
Harry looked stricken, and said to Chastity, "I would never hurt you Chas, you are family."
Chastity looked at Harry's face and rushed over to hug him tightly, "Don't you think I know that bro? I'm not afraid of you. Well, when you use your DAD 'go get the strap' voice my butt cheeks clench, but that's different." Then with a grin at Hermione, "Right Hermione?"
Hermione nodded and with her eyes unfocused, said with feeling "Its so Hot!" She realized what she said out loud, and blushed when Tonks laughed at her, Andy smirking as well. Ted with his eyes smiling just shook his head. 'The Black Witches did occasionally enjoy a firm, strong hand.' he thought.
Harry, purposefully using his DAD voice, "All right, that's enough playing Hermione, let's get busy on lessons." Harry turns to Chastity, "CHASTITY go get your wand and get your butt back here NOW! Your wand should never be off your wrist! That is why I bought you the holster. Time for you to start learning to defend yourself." When she doesn't move quick enough, a low-grade sting hex caught her in her butt. "OUCH! I'm going!" and she ran.
Ted just raised an eyebrow at Harry. Harry looked back at him with a question in his eyes, and Ted seemed to answer, decision undecided, be cautious. Harry nodded, he understood he was being trusted…but monitored. Ted was willing to see if Harry could be trusted with combat training his sister, and the limited disciplinary privileges necessary to do so. Harry would not betray that trust.
Three brutal hours later, Hermione and Chastity were done in. Their mom and dad watched impressed with Harry's teaching skills, just the right amount of carrot and stick. He looked just like grandfather when he was teaching. Frightening, and demanding, but fair. Andy was also impressed with how Chastity stayed in it as long as she could. She really responded to her brother's teaching style. It was gratifying.
Once done with lessons, Harry created 2 massage benches and levitated the two onto them, transferring their clothes to the wash in the process. Harry said to his mum, "This is normal bruise balm. It doesn't invert the pain. You do Chas, and I'll do Mine. We will loosen them up, let them have a nap, and they should be able to prepare properly for dinner."
Andy smiled, opened the ointment, and went over to Chastity, who mumbled, "I wanted Harry to do me." Which earned her a hard SMACK! from her mother. Chas yelled "OUCH! That hurt!" rubbing her bottom containing marks from Harry's numerous stinging hexes.
"Exactly why Harry was right to hand the ointment to me, you horny bint." Replied Andy. They both were asleep by the time the massage was done and Harry just levitated them both up to their beds and tucked them in. He kissed Chas on the forehead, and kissed Hermione on the lips to have her smile and sigh from the kiss, rolling over onto her side.
Harry went back down and worked some more with Tonks, both realizing their skills are similar enough to be excellent practice partners. They both pressed each other to near exhaustion, breaking to get ready for formal dinner.
Harry was in the shower enjoying the burn from his muscles. Tonks really gave him a good workout. He heard someone in the bathroom, when the door opened and he felt some familiar hands wrap around him from behind and hug him. Harry enjoyed her breasts, with their obviously aroused nipples, poking his back. The hug broke, and the hands descended to became adventurous, while Hermione said, "Thank you for distracting me, it was helpful getting me out of my funk. The nap was needed too."
Harry turned around within her grasp to talk, and Hermione dropped to her knees. As Harry looked down, he saw her look into his eyes with love and want. Hermione used both hands to grasp his bottom hard, holding him in position tightly. She then sucked his cock into her mouth with a big slurp, and a grin. Harry was already responding from the nipples on his back, but finished becoming hard very quickly from her enthusiastic mouth and tongue. Since it had been days since he climaxed, he quickly and explosively climaxed. Hermione gladly swallowed his essence in a very obvious thank you, while never breaking eye contact. Harry was lost in those eyes showing such obvious adoration.
Hermione stood back up, and said huskily "I love you, my Lord." Kissing him very intensely. Harry kissed her back, just as intensely and said, "I love you too, Mine." He then kneeled down while gently pushing her chest back against the shower wall, and threw her right leg over his left shoulder, nosing into her folds. Hermione squealed, groaned, and squealed again. Before long, the squealing turned into her screaming out "Harry!" as she explosively came. Harry of course, swallowed as much as he could catch, and continued to lick her, while holding her up and bracing her against the shower wall. Hermione had come so hard her legs became unsteady from shaking so bad.
When Harry and Hermione became aware of more than just each other, they saw Chas watching them from the sinks. Chastity was leaning back on the sink, pinching a nipple hard, while furiously rubbing her clit. Once she locked eyes with Harry, she came hard. Her eyes said she was imagining Harry doing to her, what he did to Hermione. She had been watching, ever since she pushed Hermione into the shower. Once she came down from her climax, Chas said, "MORGANA, that was the hottest thing I ever saw!"
Harry looked at Chastity, "Love, respect, and trust make it much better. Mum and Dad, were definitely right about that."
Chastity with a pout said, "Yeah, but most of us don't have a boy kill a troll, then tell the professors they can beat him again as nothing will keep him from protecting her. It kind of makes the bar too high for us ordinary witches to discover love, much less respect and trust." Chastity then pushed Harry back to his room, so the two girls could properly get ready for dinner…and some girl talk.
Harry was again in his usual position welcoming everyone to dinner and practicing his small talk. Something he knew was a weakness for him. He complemented his sisters on their poise and developing grace. He lightly questioned Tonks on her Auror classes, which of her classmates she was befriending, which Instructors were good, ect. Before long Hermione was brought down by Chastity.
Harry just looked up at the vision descending from the second floor. He said with raw emotion, "Every time I see you, your beauty just shines brighter. A beautiful sunrise, dawning a bright new day." Hermione blushed and dropped her eyes prettily.
"My lord, you flatter me. I will swoon, when your power and strength have already made me weak in the knees." Responded Hermione, causing Ted and Andy to smile at their impressive bantering. Chas was just watching with dancing eyes. It was obvious Hermione and her definitely did some talking, about…things.
When dinner was concluding, Harry requested of his parents, "I want to invite Lord Black to join us tomorrow night. I would like to do the pensieve memory of the Madness episode once, and feel the Grangers need to see it too. Chastity has lived through most of it, so I feel this will actually help her deal with it. I'm not sure about Sophia and Emily as I'm sure you two should see it before we let them see the raw footage."
At Emily's "Aww", which her father cut off with a look. Ted then turned back to Harry, "I agree, Chas can watch with us, and the twins will wait until we decide if it's suitable for them at this age." Ted just looked at Emily, getting ready to argue, and she quickly settled down, not wanting to earn time with his strap. Dinner finished and everyone went to their evening activities. Harry, Hermione, Chas and Tonks were studying while the girls were going over some homeschooling of their own. The Tonks were very gratified that Harry and Hermione fit right in to the families' studious habits.
The next day, Harry again worked Hermione and Chastity hard. When they were done in, he moved onto Tonks, with the, unexpected and very appreciated, additional participation of Andy for some serious dueling. They spent the rest of the morning testing the wards with their spell casting. Harry was able to keep up until they went heavy, and his spells just didn't have the juice. He was so tired of waiting for his 2nd maturation. Ah well.
After a relaxing lunch and a relaxing afternoon at the pool, it was time to prepare for dinner. Harry was again playing host, when the Grangers were popped in, wearing appropriate evening robes. Harry came forward and with a bow, "Welcome Doctor Granger", he then turned to Juliet and kissed her hand bowing over it, "and you too Doctor Granger. We welcome you to our home. We offer you bread, salt, water, and the comfort of our fire."
Stephen with a slight smile at the formal welcome, gratified tonight was to be a time of serious conversation, replied, "We are gratified at your welcome, and offer our wands to support yours during our time under your roof." Harry bowed again and offered them refreshment.
Lord Black then popped in and Harry went forward, "My Lord Black, welcome! What is ours, is yours." Arcturus nodded and Harry supplied him with refreshment. Harry continued the formal greeting to his family as they came down. When Hermione came down, Harry greeted her, "My lady, you are beautiful. One never tires of watching the sunrise every morning."
Hermione with a blush and a small curtsey, "Thank you, my Lord. Your appreciation is gratifying." And Harry kissed her hand. He then brought her to her parents and bowed away. Returning to his duties.
Stephen impressed in spite of himself, "That is one serious, young man." While looking at his wife who nodded.
Hermione inordinately proud of her wizard, "He takes his duty to family, very seriously. Harry lives the Black mottos, and most important is, Family First in all things."
It was a formal dinner. The young were on their best behavior, as they knew acting up in front of guests and Lord Black would have only one outcome. Finally, the dinner was done and it was time for the viewing. Hermione having explained it to her parents earlier, and that their talk would be after the viewing. Emily and Sophia were excused to their room. They left with a curtsey.
The pensieve was placed on the table, and everyone dipped a finger watching Harry under the control of the Black Madness activate six Black Stars and try to kill Master Snape. Once done, Lord Black said, "That explains a lot. I hadn't realized Harry thought she was seriously injured. Then that blasted ring actually took him over. Six black Stars? Wasn't taking any chances there."
Juliet asked, "Is that unusual? Please tell me that Madness is not typical."
Andy replied, "Not at all. It is only the most powerful Blacks who are victims of the Black Madness. However, the more powerful, the more likely they will succumb to it when they go full power. Well, if they use the black war magics. Fortunately, occlumency can combat, if not nullify the involuntary madness."
Lord Black disagreed, "Harry just needs more training. It is really only the occasional weak-willed Black who had more power than sense, who truly succumb to the madness. Harry was blindsided by the ring. He has more will power than any Black in generations. The only way he succumbs is if he wants to succumb. Something we will teach him, is unnecessary to reach any of his goals…even vengeance."
Stephen concerned, "What does this mean? Harry obviously thinks the world of Hermione, not that I have a problem with that at all. However, under the madness, he would be as likely to injure her, as those who are hurting her."
Andy trying to reason it out, "Well, obviously the first thing is don't hurt Hermione, and don't intentionally separate them. We will concentrate on his occlumency. That will help with his control as well as the madness. It is also essential to keep his patient's secrets as a healer." And she grabbed Harry in a hug. "My boy is already an apprentice healer! I am so proud!"
Harry hugged her back, "Thank you mum. Fighting is what I am required to do, Healing is what I want to do…and I want to be the best."
Hermione said turning to Andy, "Everything you supposed was true. I was called to Harry, after he was taken by Lord Black. Harry was under the grip of the madness. He went full healer mode to verify I wasn't still injured…then he went where, I have to assume Healers don't go, to verify I hadn't been touched by another male."
Stephen in full DAD mode, asked angrily, "And how did he determine you hadn't been touched by another male?"
Hermione looked up angrily, "He did not penetrate me with more than his tongue! I am still virginal, BOTH HOLES!" she yelled in his face.
Stephen slightly blushing then continued, "Then how did he determine it?"
Hermione blushed and looked back down, "Harry thoroughly tasted me. Whether he has an excellent sense of taste or used some other ability. Harry determined to his own satisfaction, that no male had penetrated me as he couldn't smell…or taste them on…or in me."
Harry looking embarrassed, "I'm sorry Hermione. I-"
Hermione interrupted grabbing Harry's face, "It's OK, Harry. I am honored, even under your madness, you were gentle while being thorough. Fortunately, we have advanced to oral for each other, so you had a baseline to compare me to."
Stephen was about to yell, when Juliet placed a hand on his arm, "So those jokes about you providing oral to your knight protector did take? How did that go?"
Hermione, wondering when she would stop blushing, "I have to seriously practice to lose my gag. It really drops me out of the right headspace, when I am fighting the gag. Also, the taste is unique, though rapidly growing on me." Stephen just shuddered while Juliet squeezed his hand enough to make her knuckles white. She obviously was keeping DAD mode in check.
Hermione ignoring her father's reaction, "As to Harry? He has no squeamishness. He actually tongued as deep as he could to penetrate my vagina…and anus. That was a new experience, though next time we will use cleaning spells before I let him do that to me again. I want to be able to kiss him without thinking about where his mouth has been. Though I suppose that would have defeated the purpose of checking me in the first place, if he was looking for signs of others trespassing. Unfortunately, Lord Black interrupted before things got…interesting."
Stephen really grouchy after that vivid explanation. God, his daughter was sexually active and comfortable enough to give details during family meetings. He snarled, "So, what do we do now?"
Lord Black looking at him inscrutably, "Nothing. Evidently Harry, or the Potter Foible, chose well. Hermione has a mate who loves her so much, even under the throughs of battle madness, never sought to hurt her, only protect her. What else could you request?"
Stephen looked at another man who obviously understood loving his woman, and stopped. He thought a moment and then shaking his head, nodded acquiesce to Lord Black, "I see your point. Gift horse and all that. Thank you for sharing that with us. I know you didn't need to do so."
Stephen now changing subjects, turned to Hermione, "Did you realize when you gave us that balm how addictive it is? I think the stuff is worse than heroin. Yes, we both used it. Your mother put much more into the caning than me, as I was afraid to hurt her…and she punished me for that. As such when the pain inverted to lust, I was keeping her busy most of the night. Despite me getting caned brutally, it was her, walking bowlegged the next morning. I honestly don't know, if I could have stopped taking her if she wanted, though I only heard a few yellow-lights and no red-light."
Hermione then looked to Juliet who answered, "Yes Stephen was fairly gentle with the cane, so my inversion didn't take, not the way his did. I now know why, you have advanced so quickly to oral. Under this drug, I am happy you had enough self-control to not shag the whole school. From what you describe, your Master has upper years monitoring your use. This means he knows about the addiction, and the risk. I don't think he's a pusher, as pushers don't teach their junkies how to make their own fix. Talk to him, there has to be a next step as addicts make poor scientists…or potioners. Come to think of it, that could be the point. A master potioner could create unbelievably addictive compounds. By having you experience the pitfalls of addiction, it may keep you from doing it to others."
Andy impressed, "Well Hermione, I can see where you get your intelligence. That was brilliantly deduced, and with pieces of the puzzle missing, no less. As a Master Healer, I agree with her assessment. Don't use the advanced balm again without discussing it with Master Snape."
Hermione now coming to the crux of the matter. With her head held up and looking her father in the eye, "Thank you for confirming my suspicions. I had thought there was something more to the Aphrodite balm than just inverting the pain, but I needed an independent opinion to verify it. I may have accepted my deserved canings, but that doesn't mean I would seek one out without being sure. I am sorry about not informing you prior, but that would have tarnished the results." Hermione paused as she changed to the subject she really wished to discuss, "So now that we have discussed things, where are Harry and I sleeping tonight?"
Stephen paused, and looked his daughter straight in the eye. "I don't really have much choice here, do I? Here's the deal. Both the Potters are welcome in their parent's house. I don't want to see any babies before your 3rd maturation. I don't want to hear, see, or smell evidence of practice making those babies until that 3rd maturation. When the time comes, I would appreciate a wedding in our church, as well as an appropriate bonding ceremony in this world, preferably before said children are conceived or birthed."
Stephen got up and came over to Harry, "Welcome to the family, son. I expect you and my grandchildren to call me POP." He held out his hand. Harry looked at it and launched himself into Stephen's arms hugging him, with the hug immediately returned.
Juliet, gratified and impressed in equal measures, "I knew there was a reason I married you. We will see you properly rewarded…later."
Harry broke the hug, then grinned at Stephen and held up his fist. Stephen, surprised for a second, immediately fist bumped it with a grin.
Hermione looked at her mother rolling her eyes, "Boys." she said with a fond smile.
Andy very happy that things went well with the Grangers, "Kids, don't forget to be back here for Yule, and we have the Malfoy Winter Ball to go to as well. Also, Harry? I have 3 tomes I want you to read for your healing apprenticeship."
Hermione half-curtseyed with a smile, "Yes mum, we will be back in two days. I just need a few days to introduce my parents to their son."
Harry came over and hugged his mother, father, and his sisters. He then went over to Lord Black and gave a proper crisp military bow. "My Lord." Getting an approving nod in return. Harry then turned to Stephen, "Pop, time to go home." Getting a smile from Stephen and a look from Hermione implying Stephen wasn't the only one getting lucky tonight. A look Stephen studiously ignored.