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Disclaimer: It’s JKR’s not mine. It’s J.K Rowling’s stable of characters, settings, and ideas; not mine. I’ve never profited from my writings and frankly never plan to.

It was morning in the Granger’s household, and it had been a week since Harry’s birthday when Harry finally asked the question that had been driving him slightly crazy for a week, “Hermione sweetheart, I remember you told me that you’d explain what the betrothal is all about. Would you care to now?”

Hermione smiled from the table as she watched Harry make pancakes, before she replied, “Once you’ve finished cooking we’ll discuss it at the table.”

Harry nodded and flipped the pancakes once more in thought. After Harry served the pancakes he looked at Hermione intently before she sighed and said, “Betrothals were a very large part of wizarding history and even muggle history in the past. Often they involved arranged marriages between influential families to consolidate their power. While we were at your place this summer, I began to think about steps we could take to protect each other in the year ahead. Technically as boyfriend and girlfriend we’d have no recourse against any attacks from the Slytherins, or from anyone else at the school for that matter.”

Hermione bit her lip in thought for a moment before she said, “But one day I came across a book on betrothal bonds and their history. I realized that they offered us the perfect protection while at Hogwarts, because if someone else attempts to break the bond, then the resulting reparation is extremely exaggerated like it would have been back in medieval times. As you saw when we ran into Malfoy, a mere insult against a betrothed leads to a disfigurement duel. To be honest Harry, we are easily the best duelers in the school. What with the training we’ve underwent this summer, it gives us the perfect deterrent against Malfoy for the year.”

Harry nodded and then asked, “How did you know the family vaults would have betrothal rings in it?”

Hermione smiled and then her brow furrowed before she said, “Actually, I shouldn’t have been so forthcoming with Malfoy when we saw him Harry. Now it places my parents in the crosshairs because I’ve become an even bigger target to Voldemort and the deatheaters.”

Harry stood from his chair and pulled Hermione into a hug before he said, “I’ll talk to Dumbledore about giving them some sort of protection and escape plan for your parents. From what I’ve seen, they wouldn’t be the kind of people that would go into hiding.”

Hermione sniffed and nodded before she said, “You’re right Harry. I think that between Moody and the headmaster they can figure out a way to protect my parents.” Harry smiled and she returned to the question at hand, “To answer your question, all old families had a set of betrothal rings imbued with a certain set of protection and punishment charms to make sure that the betrothed stayed faithful to each other and also protected them from others.”

Harry nodded and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Hermione giggled and replied, “How could I tell you that I wanted to be betrothed to you without making you freak out?”

Harry rubbed at his eyes but was smiling as he dryly replied, “It would have worked about as well as having it sprung on me in the depths of the earth, with a goblin looking on.” Hermione laughed and they enjoyed the rest of their breakfast talking about their vacation they were going in a week.

However, back at Malfoy Manor the news of Harry and Hermione’s betrothal was meet with a less than enthusiastic response. Severus Snape was visiting his godson and his father at the Manor, when the news of Potter’s betrothal was set forth. Snape was not an idiot and he scowled slightly before he bitterly said, “This betrothal is going to be the end of me. Now I can’t openly criticize Potter for his stupidity, or Granger for being a know-it-all.”

Draco nodded and asked, “What can we do now Uncle Severus?”

Snape sighed and he looked over at Lucius who had his nose buried in a book on dark rituals before he sighed and said, “I’ll think of something Draco. For now concern yourself with the plans Madam Umbridge has forwarded to you.” Draco nodded as Snape feverishly tried to think of a potential weakness that could be exploited in the betrothal process.

While the news of the betrothal between Harry and Hermione had only reached a few select ears, back at the burrow a gangly ginger haired teenager was doing a fair amount of soul searching to figure out the best way to apologize to his best friends.

As Ron thought about how to apologize to his best friends, he was also thinking about how to get back into the good graces of his girlfriend as well.

Ron shook himself from his thoughts and added the finishing touches to his letter, hopeful to be forgiven by his friends and girlfriend. Ron rolled the parchment up and gave the letter to his owl Pig, content to think about the coming quidditch season, while all he could do was wait for word from his friends.

In Kensington, two teenagers were engaged in a decidedly teenager like activity as Hermione was trying to teach Harry how to swim properly without the aid of gillyweed.

Hermione giggled as Harry sputtered water before she patiently asked, “How can I take you to the beach, and show you off to all of the jealous girls if you can’t swim Love?” Needless to say, Harry did not back down from the challenge, and had learned to swim competently by the end of the afternoon.

Harry found that life at the Granger’s was considerably quieter than at Lupin Manor, in fact it was so quiet that he had a lot of time to think about the year ahead. Harry thought about classes, his OWL exams, the state of his friendship with Ron, and the ever-present threat of Voldemort.

Harry found that while many things in his life had improved considerably, one thing had deteriorated a lot during the summer, his friendship with Ron. The funny thing was that Ron was the only reason for the deterioration, and Harry once again pondered if it had anything to do with the fact that Hermione had chosen him over Ron.

Teaching Hermione occlumency and legilimency had led Harry to some startling, although not unpleasant realizations about what Hermione felt for him. Harry found that Hermione had loved him in a way beyond friendship since the end of their third year, although she had loved him since the day that he had led her rescue from the hands of the troll.

Harry had felt that the exchange hadn’t been completely equal so he offered to show Hermione his feelings about her while she practiced Legilimency. It had even surprised Harry to know that somewhere subconsciously he had harbored some strong feelings for her back when she had been petrified in their second year. It had brought Hermione to tears when Harry showed her how empty and lonely he felt as she was lying in the hospital wing. If nothing else came from it, the exercise added certain legitimacy to their betrothal and relationship, with their feelings in the open it didn’t feel like they had been rushing things after all.

In fact, Hermione had patiently explained to Harry that having such well defined emotions about someone of the opposite sex was extremely rare at their age, and it only furthered her belief that what they had was meant to last. As they finished their conversation a small spastic owl ran into the window of Hermione’s room. Hermione ran over to the window and pulled the owl into the room while she untied the parchment from its leg.

Harry eyed the owl and asked, “A letter from Ron?”

Hermione frowned and nodded before she anxiously asked, “Harry, do you think that any apology Ron writes in here is actually genuine, or is he doing it simply so that he doesn’t lose his friends?”

Harry’s shoulders slumped slightly and he quietly replied, ”I honestly don’t know Love. But, after four years of friendship we owe it ourselves to read it and decide that for ourselves.” Hermione nodded as she sat down on her bed next to Harry and she unfurled the letter before they each silently read its contents.

Harry and Hermione shared a look before Hermione softly said, “Ok, I guess we can give him another chance.” Harry chuckled as he kissed Hermione tenderly on the lips before sitting the letter down and getting more comfortable with her while they continued what they had just started.

While it had been a cleansing and enjoyable day, the night was going to get much worse for Harry. With the aid of his Occlumency he hadn’t dealt with a Voldemort inspired vision for an extended period of time. However, Lord Voldemort had something he wanted Harry Potter to see tonight and he would make sure the troublesome little whelp would see it.

Hermione had been having a very pleasant dream about Harry and a library, when she heard someone scream out in pain. She jumped out of her bed and her heart dropped when she realized that the noise was coming from Harry’s room.

Hermione threw on her robe and ran into Harry’s room to see him writhing in his bed, much like as if he was in the midst of a cruciatus curse. Hermione let out a muffled sob and wrapped her arms around Harry. She held Harry gently, kissing his sweat soaked forehead and wiping his brow tenderly as he slowly stilled. After a moment Harry opened his eyes and tried to talk, but all that came out was a gurgle of blood and Hermione suddenly realized that he needed medical attention.

Hermione pulled out her wand and levitated Harry down the stairs taking care to leave her parents a letter and grab some fare for their mode of transportation. She transfigured her clothes to be more respectable before she levitated Harry outside and held out her wand for the Knight bus.

The bus pulled up and Artemius took in their appearance for a moment before he simply said, “No charge tonight lass, St. Mungo’s then?” Hermione nodded as Artemius handed her a rag to wipe the bit of blood off that Harry had coughed up on her when he tried to talk a few minutes earlier. Harry looked to be in a lot of pain and Hermione used all of her will power to suppress the tears that she wanted to cry for him.

They reached St. Mungo’s and Hermione floated Harry into a gurney sitting outside the front door to the otherwise empty looking building. Hermione pushed the gurney through a wall and they found themselves in the lobby. An elderly looking witch took one look at Hermione before she tentatively asked, “Is this Harry Potter?”

Hermione nodded and replied, “You-know-who exposed him to the cruciatus curse for several minutes tonight. I’m sure he is bleeding internally.”

The nurse nodded as she took the helm of the gurney and said, “Please take a seat in our visitor’s room and we’ll update you on his progress.” Hermione nodded as she numbly walked into the visitor’s room before she dropped her face into her hands and cried at the injustice of everything for a few minutes. After she finished she took on a determined expression, silently vowing to sever Harry’s connection to Voldemort once and for all.

It was dawn before the same nurse came back into the visitor’s room and what she found brought a soft smile to her face. Hermione was curled up in one of the chairs, and she was softly snoring, having already lost the battle to remain awake until Harry was released. The nurse gently shook Hermione awake and she looked at the nurse in confusion for a moment before she asked, “Is Harry fine?”

The nurse smiled and said, “We’ve managed to heal his injuries but his exposure to the cruciatus was different from that of any other case we’ve seen before. It was as though the curse was cast from inside of his body.” Hermione nodded absently even though in truth she was categorizing this piece of information for her research project as to the nature of the scar on Harry’s forehead.

The nurse softly continued, “He is awake right now and is ready to be released. How will you be paying for the services we’ve offered today?”

Hermione smiled and replied, “Send a bill and we’ll pay you.” The nurse nodded as she led Hermione to Harry’s room to pick him up and thankfully take him home in one piece.

Hermione walked into the small room and found Harry sitting on the edge of his bed, itching to leave the hospital as was in his nature. He smiled widely upon seeing Hermione although she could tell it was somewhat forced as he said, “I have to tell you all about this dream I had last night.” Hermione eyed him strangely before she remembered that they had an audience. Sparing a glance at the nurse, who was doing one last check of Harry’s board, Hermione covertly winked to Harry signifying her understanding. Seeing this Harry relaxed as she gently helped him into a wheelchair, as per hospital rules, and led him out the entrance of the hospital.

It didn’t come as a surprise when they ran into a press contingent, but Hermione knew that the secret that they were staying at Hermione’s house was out of the figurative bag. Hermione summoned the knight bus and they vanished from the press in record time speeding towards the Granger’s residence.

If the presence of Dumbledore and Moody dressed in muggle clothes on the Granger’s porch was an unexpected sight greeting Harry and Hermione, they certainly didn’t show it. Hermione smiled slightly and said, “Hello Headmaster and Mad-Eye. We actually needed to talk to you.”

Dumbledore peered at them with none of the normal twinkle in his eyes as he evenly replied, “Indeed.”

Harry appeared unfazed and asked, “We were wondering if you would put a small order contingency at the Hermione’s parents’ house and practice? We’re not asking you to expend a lot of resources from the order, but even providing them with emergency portkeys and warding the house would be very appreciated.”

Dumbledore nodded and replied, “That would be no problem to arrange Harry.” Dumbledore sighed and asked, “What precipitated your visit to St. Mungo’s last night Harry?”

Harry eyed Dumbledore for a moment before he replied, “I’m afraid that is a secret sir. Much as you wish to have secrets, I wish to keep them as well.”

Moody obviously irritated by Harry’s answer barked, “The safety of most of your friends might rely on sharing the information from your little dream.”

Harry turned towards Dumbledore and arched his eyebrow in consternation and he replied, “Ah I see, since I’m only a child I can’t know anything. But, adults are privy to all sorts of information directly about me. That’s just brilliant professor. While you’re at it why don’t you invite Pettigrew to rejoin the order?”

Dumbledore was taken slightly aback and he asked, “Harry, how did you know that Peter was an order member?”

Harry merely shook his head and smiled benignly before he replied, “I truly don’t know what it’s going to take for you to understand that it’s not your place to decide who knows these things.”

Moody heatedly cut in, “Albus Dumbledore has been the greatest wizard for the light for the last one hundred years you mongrel, you best show your respect.”

Harry merely shook his head in amusement at Moody before his face grew hard and he said, “Perhaps we have different definitions of what makes a light and dark wizard then. If anything, Headmaster Dumbledore could be considered a gray wizard at best. Manipulating lives and condoning child violence don’t rate too high on my moral compass.” Harry turned towards Dumbledore and simply said, “Sooner or later you’ll figure out that hiding things from me is a mistake. You had better hope it isn’t later, or you might have a problem on your hands.” Harry grasped Hermione’s hand and they walked into the Granger’s house not sparing another glance at Dumbledore.

If they had looked back they would have noticed an ashen face Dumbledore discretely casting wards on the Granger house while Moody watched him in puzzlement. Finally the retired auror asked, “Albus what are you doing?”

Dumbledore waved his wand once more and the wards briefly shimmered before fading back out of sight. The old wizard sighed and said, “Alastor, I have made many mistakes in my life. Most of what Harry just said is correct from most perspectives. I am growing to understand what Harry means when he says it is a mistake to decide what he deserves to know. If Harry was pushed enough he could easily decimate most of the order without even breaking a sweat. This summer Harry has asserted himself with Ms. Granger’s help to become a force to be reckoned with. I hope to be the one to guide him in taking my mantle of leadership in the years ahead. I owe it to him as much to as myself to treat him as an equal if that is what I wish him to become.”

Moody looked surprised before he nodded with understanding and asked, “Do you know where the Granger’s practice is?” Dumbledore nodded and they both vanished with a soft pop, trying to make amends for past sins and mistakes.

As soon as Harry and Hermione entered the Granger’s house, they were enveloped into a pair of crushing hugs by Maureen and David who were hysterically babbling about Hermione’s note and what it all meant. Hermione finally screamed, “Mum and Dad we’ll explain what happened if you’ll follow us into the living room.”

David and Maureen obediently followed and sat down where Hermione had instructed them to do so. Hermione took a deep breath and Harry squeezed her hand to let her know he would help when needed. She smiled softly at Harry, still a little pale from the previous night, before she turned to her parents and asked, “You both know how I told you that Harry and Voldemort share a connection through his scar, right?” David and Maureen nodded while Harry listened with a raised eyebrow.

Hermione winced realizing she never told Harry what she had told her parents about him. She filed those thoughts away mentally adding a notation to find a way to explain to Harry how she had forgotten and continued, “Last night, Harry had a vision through their connection and somehow he was physically tortured as a result. I found him screaming in his sleep and when he woke up it was apparent he had some severe internal injuries. We went to St. Mungo’s because they had the best means of healing him. I’m making it my top priority to figure out a way to sever the connection Harry shares with Voldemort.”

Harry sighed and said, “From what he told me last night in the vision it won’t be that simple. I’ll explain it later, but things might have to get very messy in order to rid me permanently of the connection. To put it simply ending our connection isn‘t simply a matter of learning the proper spell to sever it.”

Hermione frowned but resolutely said, “Don’t worry Harry, I haven’t failed you yet and I won’t start now.” Harry nodded firmly showing his confidence in her abilities and she gave him a soft smile in return.

Maureen and David shared a knowing smile, before Maureen said, “David and I cancelled our appointments for the rest of the week so that we could start our vacation a little earlier. Since we have nearly three weeks, we were thinking we might do something a little more extravagant than just a trip to the southern shoreline. We’ve rented out a nice little villa in Southern France. Hermione knows the area well because we’ve stayed there a couple of weeks on several summers before.”

Harry glanced over at Hermione and she smiled before he asked, “Do I need to get a passport?”

David spoke first, “Heavens no Harry, but it might be a good idea to get one if we do decide to go somewhere overseas.”

Harry nodded and then he looked down at the floor and asked, “Why are you doing all of this for me? It’s not like I’ve done anything to deserve it.”

Hermione shared a pained look with her parents and Maureen firmly replied, “Harry sweet child, never think that you don’t deserve to be happy simply because your horrid relatives told you that. As far as I am concerned, they have no right even referring to you as their family. They certainly haven‘t earned that honor.”

Harry looked up from the floor desperately trying to find if the words Maureen had just spoken were honest, and upon seeing the sincere look on her face he smiled and nodded, unable to force the words out of his suddenly constricted throat.

It felt good having family, the Granger’s and the marauders had given Harry something he had desperately sought his entire life, something to fight for. Harry decided at that very minute, that he would willingly put his life on the line to make sure that his family was safe and happy.