CHAPTER SEVEN: OF WILLS AND LIES
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1996. Potter Manor.
"Okay, I guess we know why Harry is here," Hermione said, "but what about me? Not that I mind as this afternoon was wonderful. But I don't think keeping Little Harry happy justifies this."
"Oh that's just a fringe benefit, for both of you from what I saw," Tonks said. "No, you are as much a part and victim of the Old Man as Harry is, but your part did not begin until sometime after the two of you first met. To explain how you got dragged in, I need to cover why Harry lived with the Dursleys all those years. Here Harry," Tonks said handing Harry a document, "we'll begin with this."
Harry looked at the document.
THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
of
JAMES CHARLES POTTER
HEIR TO THE HEAD OF THE ANCIENT
AND NOBLE HOUSE OF POTTER
20 September 1980
I, JAMES CHARLES POTTER, being of sound mind, hereby make this my Will, to provide from my wife and consort Lily Marie Potter for her life, to provide for the care and education of my Son, Harry James Potter and to pass on to my Son upon his attaining his majority.
Harry was told to skip down a bit as the first sections dealt with assets and the provisions that would only have applied had Lily lived.
SECTION III:
I hereby appoint Sirius Orion Black, Godfather of my Son and Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Black to serve as Magical Guardian for my Son during his minority. In the event that Lord Black should be unable or unwilling to serve as Magical Guardian, I appoint such duties to Albus, Wulfric Percival Brian Dumbledore to serve in such capacity or such other Wizard as Albus Dumbledore should designate.
Said Guardian shall administer the Trust as he should desire, provided that my Son shall have his educational expenses paid for and provided that 1,000 Galleons per annum be available for his use. Said Trust shall consist of 10% of the monies now in my vault and shall be supplemented with 60% of the annual income from my principal estate until such time as my son attains his majority.
Said Guardian shall have all powers over the person of my son as the Law shall allow to include, without limitation, designating who shall have custody and care for my Son and acting in my stead to approve or reject any contracts for marriage.
"This was the will filed with the Wizangamot and Ministry," Tonks said. "As you can see, it grants the Old Man significant authority regarding your life in the event Sirius was not able to serve as your guardian."
"Still doesn't explain the Dursleys," Harry said, "especially since his so called blood wards set for my protection either never existed or fell ages ago."
"No it doesn't," Tonks said. "I'll get to that but first," she slid another document over to Harry. "This is your father's real Will, the one recorded with Gringotts. The will you just saw is a forgery."
"Why am I not surprised," Harry said as he and Hermione began to read the new will.
THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
of
JAMES CHARLES POTTER
HEIR TO THE HEAD OF THE ANCIENT
AND NOBLE HOUSE OF POTTER
20 September 1981
I, JAMES CHARLES POTTER, being of sound mind, hereby make this my Will, to provide from my wife and consort Lily Marie Potter for her life, to provide for the care and education of my Son, Harry James Potter and my daughter Clarice Anne Potter until they complete their education and to pass on to my Son upon his attaining his majority.
"Daughter?" Harry asked.
"Your mother gave birth to a daughter, your younger sister on September 5th, 1981," Tonks said.
Tears fell from Harry's eyes. "W-what happened to her?"
"We believe she's still alive. There were only two bodies in the house, those of your parents. We believe the Old Man did something with her, placed her for adoption or some such. But aside from that, we have no idea. Remus is checking into that as we speak."
"Hate to say this Tonks, but the more you tell me, the more my life sucked."
"You used the past tense," Hermione said with a giggle.
"The bastard screwed up everything else," Harry said. "He screws with what we have, I kill him myself."
"You'll have to jump the queue ahead of me," Hermione nodded.
"Just don't get upset if I do. I can't lose you, My Love.
"Nor I you."
Harry and Hermione continued to read.
SECTION III:
I hereby appoint Sirius Orion Black, Godfather of my Son and Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Black to serve as Magical Guardian for my children during their minority. In the event that Lord Black should be unable or unwilling to serve as Magical Guardian, I appoint such duties to the following in order of succession:
My Father, Charles David Potter,
Frank Sisternal Longbottom
Theodore Michael Tonks
Angus Devon Longbottom
Horace Silus Bones
Percival C. Cutter
Devon Rafael Stubbins
Alfred Alan Carter
Florean Fortescue
Simon J. McMillian, III
Edward Marks, Jr., Director of St. George's Magical Orphanage
If none of the above named individuals are able or willing to serve as Magical Guardian for my children, the Wizengamot shall appoint the successor, provided, however, that under no circumstances should such successor be Albus Dumbledore or any member of the Order of the Phoenix not named above.
"Dumbledore was not supposed to be my guardian ever?" Harry asked.
"No Harry, he was not," Tonks replied. "Your mother trusted the Old Man. Your father was a Potter. The Potters have never trusted him."
"Until me. Until recently I trusted him."
"You weren't raised a Potter."
Harry could only nod as he continued to read the real Will.
SECTION IV:
Said Guardian shall administer the Trust set up for the benefit of my children. Said Trust shall consist of 1% of the monies now in my vault and shall be supplemented with 5% of the annual income from my principal estate until such time as my children attain their majority. The trust shall be used soley for the care, housing, clothing and education of my children and for no other purposes other than the direct benefit of my children. Upon each child attaining the age of Six Years, they shall be allowed an allowance as per the schedule below paid in Galleons or Pounds as appropriate:
Age: Monthly Allowance:
6 50 G
7-8 60 G
9-10 75 G
11 100 G
12 - 13 125 G
14 - 15 175 G
16 250 G
"That's another thing that never happened," Harry observed.
"We think the Old Man has been robbing you blind, Harry," Tonks nodded. "Another thing Remus is looking into."
"What can we do about it?"
Tonks shrugged. "I'm open to suggestions. I have no idea really. Bill Weasley is talking with his goblin contacts at Gringotts to see if there are any legal things we can do without really raising a stink, particularly in the papers."
Harry nodded and continued to read.
SECTION V:
Said Guardian shall have all powers over the person of my son and daughter as the Law shall allow except, however, that said Guardian shall be forbidden to arrange, approve or offer my children for marriage or any other form of bonding or to reject any marriage proposal that my children should desire to accept after they attain their majority.
"And Dumbledore had already accepted the Weasley offer?" Harry asked.
Tonks nodded.
"Did Sirius know?"
"We found out about the marriage contract between you and Ginerva a couple of months ago. It was yet another reason why you were emancipated. You are now, by the Will of your Grandfather, Lord Potter, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, and have legal authority to nullify that contract. Of course, the Weasleys will have to return the Bride's curtsey."
"The what?"
"In arranged marriages, the family of the bride can ask for a curtsey. This is usually done where that family is not nearly as wealthy as the groom's or where the bride is particularly desirable and has many offers. It's a payment. Money. In this case, 25,000 Galleons. Of course, they used that money probably. Arthur had seven children to put through Hogwarts. From Bill we know he does not know that you are the intended groom."
"Why not?"
"Molly handled the whole thing. She never told him. He merely accepted the fact that he could now send his kids to school and not have to mortgage what little property he had."
"Do they have to return the money?"
"You can waive it if you desire. Given Molly's actions, I would recommend that if you do decide to waive it, make them sweat for a while."
"I don't fucking believe this! I really don't want to!"
"Harry, this has been happening for centuries. The Weasley line has not had to deal with this in generations as Ginny is the first Weasley daughter in ages. Molly's family, on the other hand, they have. Molly and Arthur were not arranged, they supposedly chose each other and as neither family was particularly wealthy … as in most such situations, the financial arrangements were not observed. But here? You are the scion of one of the wealthiest Houses in Britain, Harry. They sold her to your House as your wife. If you want my opinion, you were ripped off."
"How so?" Hermione asked this time.
"25,000 is a record curtsey and at the time it was paid by the Old Man, there was no reason to believe Ginny was worth more than 5,000. She was two years old and had yet to even express any magic. 5,000 is a lot for a girl who as not earned a single N.E.W.T. level certification. Even with three, it's pushing it."
"How do I end this nonsense?" Harry asked.
"A letter addressed to Arthur would do. There's a formality to the letter and you must affix your Head of House seal to the letter in lieu of a signature. There is a book in your study with the necessary forms and the Potter Ring and Seal are there as well in a box on the desk."
"Ring?"
"Each head of and Ancient and Noble House has a Ring handed down from his ancestors. Upon the death of your grandfather, the Seal and Ring return to the Master's Jewel Box to await use by the new Lord. Your Grandfather's box is on the desk in your study."
"Should I do it now?"
"Sirius believes you should wait a bit. Once we are finished with this will, I will explain further."
"Okay," Harry said returning to the Will.
SECTION VI:
Care and Custody of my Children shall be with the family of the above designated Guardian or, if said Guardian is unable or unwilling to provide for their day to day nurturing, care and support, with any of the above identified families as said Guardian shall designate. Should none of the above families be able or willing to care for my children, it is my wish they should be placed for adoption with a loving Wizarding family unaffiliated with Slytherin House at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry and preferable residents of Pottersport. If no such adoption is possible, I wish my children be placed in St. George's Orphanage. Under no circumstances are my children to be placed with my Wife's Sister Petunia Dursley and her family.
"I was never supposed to go to the Dursleys," Harry said.
"No Harry," Tonks replied. "No you were not. We think your being sent there and your sister being sent wherever are related and part of the Old Man plan for you. We don't know for certain, but our conclusion fits what evidence we do have. And from that conclusion, we know why the Old Man considers Hermione a bigger threat to his plans than Voldie."
"WHAT?" Harry and Hermione said together.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"The Old Man was told what the Dursleys were like. Your Mum knew what they were like. They had been watched and they were just as vile then as now. The Old Man knew if you went there they would treat you as they did. He may not have known of the extent of the mistreatment, but he knew you would grow up starved of love, friendship, affection, self worth. You would enter his clutches without your own persona. You would be a blank canvass for him and he could mold you into the man he wanted: the selfless martyr. You would never think of not being one because you would grow having never had hopes or dreams for the future.
"Once you turned eleven and came to Hogwarts, your exposure to love, affection, respect and friendship was to be controlled by the Old Man. Your first exposure to our world was Hagrid. He probably has no idea what the Old Man is on about. He is exactly as you have known him. He's too kind to knowingly participate in such a plan. But, he is also too trusting of others.
"Your first train ride was a part of the plan as well. All students are told how to get onto Platform 9 ¾, even Muggle Borns. You were not. Your arrival timed the arrival of the Weasleys who showed you how to get to the train. Molly was in charge of that one."
"She was?"
"She was told to wait for you Harry. She also made sure one young Ron Weasley knew what you looked like so he could sit with you on the train and …"
"Become my friend," Harry finished sadly.
"As you had been starved of love, affection and friendship, the Old Man knew you would soak up anything that even seemed like it. He felt he could control your relationships and thus mold you into what he wanted. Ron was one of the controls. It helped that he has a massive inferiority complex and is a below average wizard. The Old Man wanted you to be a lackluster student. Ron would see to it that you were, not because he was told to, but because he is what he is.
"You were to be surrounded by trustworthy Purebloods or those who the Old Man believed were absolutely loyal to him. It was why Sirius was locked up, because Sirius was not trust worthy in the Old Man opinion - particularly when it came to you. It was why you were allowed to spend summers with the Weasleys. If you think about it, that made no sense. If Privet Drive was so well protected, why allow you out at all?"
Harry nodded for that was one of the questions he had.
"The Weasleys were to be your real family. Ron was to be your best mate. Ginny was to become your romantic mate. Molly was to help guide you towards your ultimate demise as a martyr. In our world, the general view is that good people do not kill and evil people do. You were to be taught to believe that, thus it would be harder for you to actually take another's life."
"And yet I have," Harry said. "Twice. And I would have at the Ministry if I knew how - or if I had a gun."
"Hence, the Hermione situation."
"What?" Hermione complained. "But I never told him to kill or anything!"
"You were the last person the Old Man wanted to become a part of Harry's life. You were smart and studious and would encourage him to learn. The Old Man wanted him weak. You are Muggle raised and with your intelligence would question the status quo in our society. The Old Man wanted Harry to accept it. As a Muggle raised child, you know that good and evil is about motives far more than actions. You know that the good can kill another and not become evil for doing so. This is contrary to the Old Man thinking.
"You were also so unexpected, Hermione. You came into Harry's life at a time when most boys and girls cannot and will not relate to one another, much less become friends. Still, he took no action because while you were his friend and while you clearly had helped Harry succeed where he should have failed, so long as you remained just friends, his ultimate plans were still viable."
"So he had plans to deal with me as well?"
Tonks nodded. "Recent developments have made it clear to the Old Man that it may be years before Harry can be sent against Voldie per his plan. Harry will be of age by then and have come into his inheritance. Thus, the Old Man plan for an heir are now the primary plan. Harry is to marry Ginny per arrangement on August 17th. She's to bear his heir. You are the problem, Hermione."
"Aside from the fact I think this is sick and the fact that I love Harry and he loves me and I am going to be the mother of his children, why am I the problem?"
"You are not a Pureblood. The Old Man cannot tolerate the thought of an heir of Potter born from what he considers a vile coupling. He also knows he cannot control you and cannot kill you without raising suspicion. You are too damn smart, in his opinion. None of this really mattered until recently. He had some plans, but so long has you and Harry remained just friends, there was no reason to implement them."
"Then there was the Battle," Harry said.
Tonks nodded. "Actually, it was after, but yes. It seems to me what happened forced you two to finally admit what had been obvious to many for so long. Sirius and Remus had a bet going. It was when you two would see the truth, not if. Sirius bet it would be this summer, Remus said next summer or later. Sirius won, but cannot collect of course.
"Ron Weasley was told two years ago to become Hermione's boyfriend. He does fancy her a bit, but his Mum's Pureblood prejudices have held him back. That and the fact that he's a wimp when it comes to girls. Still, he's been telling the Old Man and his Mum that Hermione was warming up to him and would be his soon."
"Fat fucking chance," Hermione said. "Even without what you've told us, I'd rather be a spinster than Ron's."
"A point that came to light only recently on the day you woke up following the Battle," Tonks agreed. "You two confessed your love for each other and basically cut Ron and Ginny out of your lives, at least as possible romance is concerned, if not in all things. Molly's plan, which had been discussed, was now given top priority."
"What plan?" Harry and Hermione asked.
"There were two reasons you were sent to live with the Dursleys," Tonks continued. "You were groomed to be vulnerable to affection and thus easily manipulated. But, by living as a Muggle, you also were left ignorant of our world. You know little about the customs and traditions. Had you been raised in this world, you could never have been manipulated by the Old Man. Your magical caretakers would have seen what he was up to and you would have known he was trying to screw you over. You probably would have accepted an offer to attend St. Georges."
"I - I never got an offer…"
"I did," Hermione said.
"I never …"
"The Old Man has been tampering with your mail since the day your parent's were killed, Harry. Your only sure form of post is your own owl."
"Which he discourages me from using."
"Because he cannot mess with it. Now, this ignorance of our world is the key to Molly's scheme. As bright as she is, Hermione entered our world as clueless as you did. She too was not raised in our customs or traditions. The ones at issue here are in books, but the books are banned from Hogwarts."
"Why?" Hermione asked.
"Dumbledore feels the information would be upsetting to Muggle Borns."
"More so than being called a Mudblood?"
"Much more so, I'm afraid. Certainly to a bright witch like Hermione here."
"Why's that?"
"In the Muggle World, while men and women are not truly equal yet, a bright young woman has almost limitless prospects for her future. The law promotes equality as does the society's expectations. This is not true in the Wizarding World - at least here in Britain. We are at least 400 years behind our Muggle neighbors in a lot of things, maybe even further.
"In the Wizarding World, all Wizards are considered socially superior to all witches. Witches are little more than the property of their families."
"WHAT?" Hermione screeched! Harry held her hand to help her regain some composure.
"I don't see you that way, Love," he whispered. "Then again, I was not raised that way. She's telling us about the system that exists. The system is a threat to you, probably a huge threat if you are ignorant about it. But it is a system. If we know enough about it, it can be manipulated."
Hermione nodded. "G-go on."
"For the most part, in our society, a witch gets only what wizards allow her to get. All the outstanding N.E.W.T.s in the world mean nothing if no wizard lifts a finger to help the witch make use of her abilities. To maximize her potential, a witch must have a wizard patron to open doors for her. Without a patron, Hermione's job prospects are bleak. The better the patron, the better her prospects."
"But how would a Muggle Born like me find a patron?"
"Unless born to a Noble House, in which case your Head of House is your patron unless you manage to do better, the easiest way is to marry one. As a witch, and unlike wizards, your Head of House, wizard father or magical guardian retains significant control over your life until you turn twenty-five. The reason is it is his obligation to see to it that you obtain a patron."
"And if he doesn't?"
"A witch would be lucky to get a job cleaning toilets at the Leaky Cauldron. Likewise, if he finds his charge a powerful patron, the witch could become the next Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic despite never having passed a single O.W.L."
"You mean Umbridge," Hermione began.
"Flunked out of Hogwarts.
"As a Muggle Born, because you have no Head of House, there are only three ways you can acquire a partron. As I said earlier, you can marry one. But as I also said earlier, you can only marry with your Guardian's consent. Right now, that means the only partron you can expect with the Old Man consent is Ron Weasley."
"I'd be lucky to get a job stocking shelves at Flourish and Blotts," Hermione moped.
Tonks nodded in agreement, her low opinion of their former friend showing. "The legal marriage is no stronger or weaker than it is for Muggles. In Pureblood and aristocratic society, it is used to create alliances between families for either political or financial gain. The bride and groom do not have to consent. Wizards can be married off at any time before they attain their majority. Witches at anytime before their twenty-fifth birthday. Most such marriages are loveless affairs. The couple has only one thing they are expected to do - reproduce.
"Consequently, it is not uncommon for them to find love elsewhere. For the witch, it is usually in the bed of another witch as there is no stigma associated with that. For the wizard, some take Mistresses, although that can be risky and is illegal if the woman is bound to another wizard. More often, they take a slave."
"A wh-what?"
"A consort or a concubine. These are witches that are bound to a wizard by magic. It enslaves them to varying degrees, the most notable form is that they will remain utterly and totally faithful to the wizard."
"I take it there's a difference?" Hermione asked.
"Indeed. A concubine is sold and bound against her will. She's sold by her father, Head of House or magical guardian for money. Sometimes it's a private sale between wizards, but every year there is a public auction."
"This is unbelievable!"
"But true," Tonks said. Harry noted an odd smile on her face. "The concubine bond suppresses free will in the witch. She's is allowed only as much as her Master desires. Her primary function is to serve her Master. This always involves sex. Young concubines are almost always sex toys. Older ones are purchased to serve in other capacities as well, such as nanny's, wet nurses or breeding stock. Concubines can work outside the home and you would be surprised to learn that there are probably concubines in most jobs. Their pay, however, is the property of their Master. The quality of their lives varies from Master to Master. Some concubines live quite full lives, have challenging occupations and earn a name for themselves. Others are little more than whores or House Elves. Regardless, they have no choice in the matter."
"There's a reason you're telling us this, isn't there," Harry said.
Tonks nodded. She lay what looked like a magazine before them. There was no picture on the cover. All it said was "Calpart's Auction House, 121 Diagon Alley, London. July 15th 1996 Lot Catalog."
"Open this to page 44," Tonks said.
They did as instructed. When they reached the page, both of the teens gasped. Page 44 was a picture of Hermione. On page 45, there was a description:
HERMIONE JANE GRANGER
Born September 19, 1979. MUGGLE BORN. Completed 5th Year Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Stands at top of her year. O.W.L.s pending and posting will be updated July 10. Vitals: 5'7". Brown curly hair, brown eyes, 37-24-36, 122 lbs. Bra size - C cup. Believed to be unspoiled. Wand: Vine w/Dragon Heartstring
Initial asking price: 150G
Seller 1276 (Dumbledore was written beside the number in pen)
Pre-Auction Bidding Interest Expressed:
Buyer 1197 (Malfoys)
Buyer 32113 (The Old Man/Weasleys)
Buyer 32168 (Us)
"They're going to sell me, Harry," Hermione wailed. "They are going to sell me like cattle!" Harry pulled her into a hug.
"The Old Man primary plan for you two was to place you in arranged marriages with the Weasleys. Molly's been bugging him since last summer that something might develop between you two and so she came up with a contingency which the Old Man approved if you two fell in love or got into a relationship.
"For Harry, he will be sent food from Ginny laced with Amorentia," Tonks said.
"What's that?" Harry asked.
"L-love potion," Hermione whimpered. "V-very p-powerful, bloody near impossible to make and illegal."
Tonks nodded. "10 years is Azkaban if caught. Under the influence of that potion, Harry would forget all about Hermione and fall madly in love with Ginny. He would marry the girl without question and be driven to knock her up. The potion becomes nearly permanent if the couple has a child."
"But w-why sell me," Hermione sobbed. "Why not just dose me up as well?"
"Molly wasn't too keen on her boy marrying you. You are, after all, a Muggle Born. If you were his concubine, you would be under his control and he would still be free to take a Pureblood wife."
"This is just sick," Hermione sobbed. Tonks nodded.
"We trusted them," Harry added. "Who's 'us?' How can we stop this?"
"Us is a company Sirius started up about a month ago when we learned this was a possibility. Hermione was not to be bound without reason the Old Man insisted, but it was an option he would use should reason arise.
"The Company is called RPG Entertainment Services, Ltd. It's about as real as Father Christmas. It is set up to look like a concubine brokerage house. Although you won't find it anywhere, Harry is the sole shareholder in the company. Our last resort plan was to buy Hermione for Harry."
"And then I could free her," Harry said.
"No Harry, you could not. Once she is bound as a concubine, it is for life. You could only sell her off."
"And what if I don't bond with her?"
"The sale is voided after six months or so and she would be resold at the next auction."
"So, unless we can stop the first sale altogether, Hermione will become a concubine?"
Tonks nodded.
"Guess I'll just have to buy her then," Harry said clearly not happy with this prospect.
"I - I c-could live with that," Hermione said, "I d-don't like it. But I could live with it."
"And the Old Man?" Harry asked.
"Ron wants his plaything. He got Molly to get a magic oath from the Old Man to outbid the Malfoys."
"That's it?"
Tonks nodded.
"So all we have to do is stay in and outbid Dumbldore?"
Tonks nodded. "350 Galleons should do it. Maybe a little more. The Malfoys have never paid more than 300 for a Muggle Born. Even if Draco wants her, he's not going to go much higher than that."
"You said last resort," Hermione noted. "What else do you have in mind?"
Tonks nodded. "The Old Man can't sell if he lacks the right to sell. If, by July15th, he is no longer your magical guardian, the sale is off."
"And how can we make that happen?"
"Harry is an emancipated minor and Head of House now," Tonks said. "First off, he can break the contract with the Weasleys. As head of an Ancient and Noble House, should Ginny try and use that potion, by law Harry has the right to enslave her as his Concubine if he wishes."
"What if someone does it for her," Hermione asked.
"The object of the potion is what becomes forfeit. The maker and sender of the potion would face severe criminal sanctions."
"And Hermione?"
"I assume you're of bonding age," Tonks said.
"W-what's that?" Hermione asked.
"It's been at least six months since your first period?"
"More like over four years."
"There is one bond that a magical guardian is powerless to stop or interfere with."
"What's that?"
"The Consort Bond."
"That's a kind of slavery," Harry noted.
"True. But it is one that benefits both people. In that bond you become more than the sum of your parts, as it were. You are bonded by consent and by love and the bond enhances love, trust, faithfulness, all the positive aspects of a relationship while suppressing the negatives. The majority of all marriages are Consort Bonds. In fact, under the law, the Consort is a wife and her Master is her husband. True, the man can take a wife for political purposes, but she is second to the Consort in all things except the production of an heir.
"And how does this happen?"
"The witch offers herself to the wizard. She recites an oath, the precise wording is not critical so long as the main components are covered. The wizard then accepts her as his Consort and the Bonding rite is performed, although the order of these events is not critical."
"What's the rite entail," Hermione asked.
"Nudity and sex," Tonks replied. "Specifically, the couple must be naked the whole time, the witch must recite the oath, the wizard must accept, they must orally bring the other to climax and they must have sexual intercourse to conclusion. Although not required, it is said it helps if both lovers climax during intercourse."
"So if she becomes my Consort?"
"The Old Man and the Weasley's plans are ruined. They can't touch you."
"What about the auction?"
"The moment you're bonded, she is off the block as it were. Her name will be removed from the ledger and from the final auction catalogs."
"So she cannot be sold then?"
"No."
"Hermione?"
"I'd like to read a little about it first."
"Of course," Harry smiled.
"But, it sounds like something I would like."
"Great! So how soon can we do this, Tonks?"
"Oddly enough, you two already have."
"WHAT?" the two teens cried out.
"That last time you had sex, and I assume that was not the first, Hermione said an oath offering herself and Lord Potter accepted."
"But that was just a silly thing I read in a dirty romance novel I borrowed from one of my roommates," Hermione complained.
"That was the Consort's Oath, Hermione. And I assume you two also had oral sex during your afternoon play?"
They nodded.
"But, I didn't know," Hermione said.
"You meant what you said, though," Tonks replied. Hermione blushed. She had meant it, she just didn't understand the full implications.
"When the two of you came that last time, you glowed magically as the bond took hold."
"That's what happened?" Hermione asked, "that's why Harry passed out?"
"There were two magical pulses, Hermione. The first enveloped you and Harry. You would not have seen it as you were both part of it. The second one only affected Harry and I have no idea what it was, only that it is not related to the bond."
"Oh."
"As I said, you two had a very interesting afternoon today."
A/N: RELATIONSHIP SCORECARD:
If you didn't read the Intro, you missed that. This is so you can keep up with who's with who and how.
Lord Harry James Potter, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, age 15 (born 7/31/80)
Lady Hermione Jane (Granger) Potter, age 16 (9/19/79). Girlfriend/fiancé as of 6/18/96; CONSORT, HOUSE OF POTTER 6/23/96.