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Third Time's a Soul Bond?	By : Wilde_Guess Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Ron Views: 6735 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter franchise, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
AN 1: Vashti Bunyan's Train Song is a real song, quoted here under "fair use." You might want to play it in the background during the passage where it is mentioned.
Chapter 12, "Revelations and Flying" where circumstances are revealed and Ron learns of flying…
Eleven forty-five in the morning arrived with little fanfare other than Mum knocking on the door and telling those of us who woke up to wake the rest and come down for brunch. As we boys started getting dressed, Luna got Ginny's and Hermione's attention.
"Girls, we're going to need to wear 'vanishing pads' most of the time now, since we are probably going to be horny and wet a lot. After we have our kids, they're also good for 'monthlies.' I'm saying this out loud to squick out the boys, and also for Hermione, who probably hasn't had her 'witch's class,' where they teach the Muggle-borns how witches deal with the monthly visitor, removing unwanted hair, and so on."
The girls had gathered around a trunk that had shown up overnight, which most likely was Luna's, now. Only Neville was bothered at all, and he was more relieved, than nervous! He said quietly to Harry and me as the three of us put on our Auror Holsters, "Ron, please thank Luna for me! I hadn't a clue other than Muggle razors. And while 'au naturel' was awesome for our 'first time,' I would rather the bushes only grow around 'Trevor's holes' sooner rather than later."
He winced as if being shouted at, and said calmly, "You know, that 'privacy' thing does work both ways! At least don't call me out when you're eavesdropping? Oh, and Trevor says 'hi.'"
Hermione blushed purple, and turned back to a giggling and mirthful Ginny and Luna as they got their knickers adjusted. Luna must have decided that 'Gold' would be a workable substitute for our favourite knickers for her; 'tan line.' I also caught enough bits of their talk as we guys finished putting on our shirts.
I spoke in her mind, "They will grow with you carrying our children, but relax. You only have to impress one guy now, even if you do like to look 'nice.' If you ever stop impressing me, I'll let you know. Otherwise, even when I forget to remind you, you are the most beautiful woman on the face of the earth."
To remind Harry that he was equally impressive, I finally gave him his 'good-morning' kiss. The wordless affection pouring from both bonds at once made my head spin!
Once I regained my balance, the lot of us attended to one last errand. I told everyone, "My trunk is not friendly if you aren't 'keyed in' to its wards. Since everyone here either has a 'right' to go into my trunk at need, or knows someone who does, I'm going to key the lot of you into it. Just, respect my 'privacy' the same way you would want yours respected, please?"
Everyone nodded solemnly as they queued up for me to key them in. They appreciated my trust far more then the lance and eight zaps the trunk exacted from each of them to grant them access.
With that last errand accomplished, we all headed downstairs. We guys got the loo first, and were out fairly quickly with clean teeth and empty bladders. The girls took a little longer, but in the end, we were all seated around the table with Mum eating a mix of breakfast and lunch foods. All six of us had larger appetites then we had previously experienced, and all the food was politely but quickly eaten. Harry and Ginny went over to the sink, as the rest of us brought the dirty dishes. While we all worked, Mum told us of our plans for the afternoon.
"If you lot are up for it, Sirius, and Remus will be taking you to Diagon Alley to get your shopping done. Ginny and Luna will need Hogwarts uniforms, and regular clothes. They'll need some 'help' from Madam Malkin as well. Croaker already cleared it, since all three girls will need uniforms with special charms once they start to 'show.' Harry will also need a 'regular' wardrobe, both magical and Muggle. You won't be able to visit Gringotts until Monday to do your banking, since that will likely take the whole of the morning. You will need to do it then, though, to make sure all of your vaults are in order."
She handed me two keys, and said, "Here's you keys for the 'comic book money' and your work vaults. Your Dad and I haven't take so much as a Knut, and won't now. And while I'm still not that happy about whom really paid for your trunk and uniforms; under the circumstances I'll let it go as part of the 'wedding gifts.'
"Anyway, it's a quarter past one, and Sirius and Remus will be here in fifteen minutes or less. They already know to have the lot of you back no later than half-five, so you have time to 'clean up' and have supper. Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall will be here at around half-seven to collect Hermione and Neville, to take care of meeting with the Grangers.
"While I would not recommend the rest of you going, that is Hermione's and Neville's call, since Neville was there for us, and it's only fair we return the favour if Hermione and Neville both want you involved. Your Dad and I were not pleasant company when the Headmaster told me about Ron and Harry's bond, and we grew up with the legends. The first the Grangers will know about 'soul bonds,' is their almost twelve-year-old only child coming home pregnant from one, and announcing that she is moving out of her parents' home."
Neville and Hermione looked at each other, and then both looked at Harry, who checked with me via our bond. I told him, "I'm with you, always. Please never doubt it."
Neville looked at Mum, and said, "They will go with us, Molly. The Grangers need to know that they have not lost a daughter, but have gained two sons, though only one of us has been or will ever be intimate with their daughter. Harry is my brother in all save blood. He has magically 'adopted' Hermione as his older sister. I will not see her hurt!"
I added, "Mum, I may well know how to 'handle' Ian and Michelle Granger. If not, I'll at least try not to 'muck it up,' and I will know that I did all I could, if things truly stay 'pear-shaped.'"
Sirius Black and Remus Lupin chose that moment to knock on the kitchen door. Mum let them in, and said in greeting, "The two of you are early. They haven't even written their lists, yet."
Sirius replied, "No worries, Molly! A lot of the stuff will be making up for ten years of missed Christmas and birthday presents for Harry, anyhow. We'll be sure to have them back by half-five."
Remembering our new "family member" from last night, I asked, "Hermione, where's Crookshanks?"
She answered, "He crawled up into my lap while we were eating breakfast. Why?"
"Because Lucky Boy doesn't appreciate 'commerce' the same way humans do. He probably 'nicked' Crookshanks from the Magical Menagerie. If so, we will need to pay for him, as well as get his potions. If not, Crookshanks will still need his potions, and we'll have to figure out where he came from. We won't send him back, but I'll not have us thought to be thieves. You'll want to bring him with you anyway to bond with him more closely."
"NYaaah."
I looked down at Lucky Boy, and he sent me an image of the Magical Menagerie at night, with him coaxing Crookshanks into vanishing out of the cage and down to his feet.
I announced, "Ok, Lucky Boy just told me that Crookshanks did come from the Magical Menagerie. So, I guess that's our first stop?"
Harry asked, "Are we getting my clothes today, too?"
Sirius asked in return, "Do you need clothes?"
I answered, "Yes he does, and yes we are. His trainers don't fit, he's wearing my socks, and we're both borrowing y-fronts from Neville. With how quickly everything has happened, we haven't had time to even owl-order anything."
Harry said, "Should I get your trunk then, Ron? Since we're going to have a lot of stuff, it might be easier than having each merchant shrinking parcels."
I said, "You will want to get your vault key as well. While I'm pretty sure you won't be paying for anything, it will be nice to have.
"Also, Remus, after Harry and I come back downstairs, we need to have a 'one minute overview' of how Harry's vaults are set up. He'll also want to tie Odo into his trust vault."
Remus replied, "Fair enough. Run upstairs and get your stuff, and come right back down."
Two minutes later, we were back, along with two pairs of socks. We'd all come downstairs barefooted. While Harry and I were asking our questions, we also checked with Luna and Ginny. They were going to wear sandals. So, Harry and I put our socks on while fetching his vault key and my trunk, and grabbed a clean pair each for Neville and Hermione.
With everyone fully dressed, Sirius said, "Remus and I will side-along Apparate Hermione and Neville to the Leaky Cauldron, since Hermione won't be able to carry Crookshanks through the Floo. The other four of you will wait for us to Floo call the Burrow before coming through. Hermione and Neville, you will also be wearing glamour hoods before you leave." He handed all six of us each what appeared to be a cross between an invisibility cloak and a cloth bag.
"The rest of you will put the hoods on immediately after stepping out of the Floo. When we're out on the street, you will keep the hoods on. Inside the stores, if I give the ok, you may remove the hoods. Since none of you need to visit Ollivander's, this should be fine. The rest of our stops except for the Magical Menagerie will be expecting us, so the shopkeepers will have no problems. While the glamour hoods are not illegal, they are the magical equivalent of walking into a Muggle shop wearing a ski mask – not a very good idea, and particularly not in Gringotts."
Remus added, "Harry, we'll bind your trust-vault key to Odo after we get back. Like Ron said, it's 'our' treat today."
Sirius and the rest went out the kitchen door, and were gone with two "cracks." We got the Floo call about a minute later, and stepped through.
Harry had his hood on before he even stopped rolling. Ginny and Luna were more relaxed, as was I, but we were also "glamoured" before we could be seen by the light crowd. We stepped into the alley, Sirius opened the wall, and we stepped into the Alley.
Our first visit was the Magical Menagerie. Sirius stuck his head in first, then waived Hermione, Neville, and me in. Tyus's shop isn't really that big. I had Harry ask Remus to take the rest into Scrivener's for the girls' stationary, reminding him to have Remus get at least four penknives.
Back in the Magical Menagerie, we removed our hoods, and I stepped up to the counter. "Good afternoon, Tyus? Lucky Boy brought us a 'gift' from your inventory last night without asking me first. I'd rather pay for the little orange fluffball than return him, and we'll also need whatever else we should have bought had we purchased the kitten today."
He answered, "Well, you are a true 'Alley-Rat,' most would have quietly kept it. He was the one I thought wouldn't sell anyway, so ten sickles total for the kitten, carrier, collar, lead, and large bag of kitten kibble. He's already current for his potions until Christmastime, and fairly hardy."
Before I could place my money on the counter, Sirius placed a galleon on the counter and asked, "How much extra to pay up-front for the six-month potions?"
Tyus answered, "Two sickles, including well-kitten check-up. While we do on occasion send potions owl-order for Hogwarts students, we prefer to actually check the animal ourselves to make sure it's in perfect health."
Sirius said, "Then keep the change with my best regards after paying the thirteen sickles, for your trouble."
Tyus replied, "Thank you kindly, Lord Black. And Ron? Tell your familiar to stay away from my cats and Kneazles unless I write you and ask for him."
Lucky Boy appeared on my shoulder and made an insulting noise. I said, "And no antagonizing Tyus either, Lucky Boy. I'd rather your luck not run out over ill-timed romance!"
He spoke a resigned, "Mrrah." and vanished again to whatever he was doing.
I told Tyus, "Sorry about that! How often do you have calls for Korat Kneazle stud service?"
He replied, "Not nearly as often as he shows up! The trouble is he sneaks in so I don't know until after the fact, and I'm unable to 'prove' it was he for the kitten's papers. If I can actually prove in the normal manner, where the owner brings the Kneazle in and leaves it in the breeding stall overnight, the kittens fetch seventy galleons, eight and four. When he just "shows up," at best for 'pet grade' Korat Kneazle kittens, I can get seventeen galleons, two and nought. But he doesn't care for other Korat Kneazles; he tends to go after other breeds, and cats, too.
"The mother to your friend's new kitten was actually here to get spayed. I had to wait a week because the mother was also ill and needed a potions regime to be well enough to spay without problems. The morning I came in thinking on spaying the cat so I could have the owner pick it up the next day, I found Lucky Boy in the act, with the female having obviously 'enjoyed' his company the entire previous night! Fortunately, the owner wasn't really as attached as they thought they were to the young cat, to the point that one galleon three and twelve later, the now pregnant cat was mine, and the former owner was only slightly miffed.
"It could have been worse. With the orange one with the crooked legs sold, that's the last of the lot including the now-spayed mum, so I made a galleon instead of losing one. What's his name, anyhow?"
Hermione replied, "Crookshanks" as she fastened the collar and lead to him.
"It fits," he said. "Just don't let him learn all of his sire's tricks, please?"
"I'll try," Hermione answered as we put the rest of the purchases in my temporarily resized trunk. With trunk shrunk and hoods on, we left the Magical Menagerie.
The rest of our shopping went fairly quickly, considering. We got two sets of first-year books for Ginny and Luna, and six copies of Horace Slughorn's Potions Ingredients Interaction Guide, which I had forgotten to purchase, despite knowing the need. Harry did get the additional penknives bought, along with the rest of the required stationary. We also got scales, telescopes, cauldrons, and I restocked my pain-relief potions, buying additional ones as well, along with restocking the ingredients I'd used to brew the pain relief potions two weeks ago. Ginny had Bill's old trunk, and Luna had a trunk from "somewhere."
Sirius had us detour by Quality Quidditch Supplies, and bought nine new Nimbus 2000 brooms, along with broom servicing kits. While this would be fine for Monday, I could already hear Mum screaming when she saw just how many of the brooms he'd bought.
Madam Malkin's was a little more complicated. Fortunately, she was not a gossip, nor was her help this day. All three girls left the store with additional clothing beyond their Hogwarts uniforms. All of it, including the uniforms, was charmed to be wearable up to when they gave birth, depending on how much they grew.
Harry and I also bought two weeks of y-fronts each, additional silk Hogwarts Vests, and additional shirts for Harry. Harry also got two new pairs of trainers that actually fit, and insisted that all six of us get a pair of Birkenstock sandals.
I went along after Madam Malkin assured me that they would also be charmed to "grow" up to a full size larger if needed. He also got a complete new regular wardrobe including matching 'work clothes' to mine for the wand shop, and assorted coloured t-shirts for casual wear. Harry changed into the trainers before we even left the store, and binned the ones he'd been wearing. Sirius made sure that I didn't even hear the final bill, much less get the chance to pay it.
This being our last stop, I asked Madam Malkin if we could use her Floo to return to the Burrow. She gave us permission, and Sirius sent all of us except for Hermione through, after asking what kind of toppings we preferred on ice cream sundaes. After a few moments debate, we all decided on hot fudge to make things easier for Sirius and Remus to deal with.
After the five of us Flooing made it back to the Burrow, Remus Apparated Hermione and Crookshanks back, and was off again. Six minutes later, Sirius and he returned bearing nine sundaes. I opened the door for them and let them into the kitchen. Mum thanked Sirius for hers, cautioned the six of us not to let the treat spoil our appetites for supper, and we enjoyed our treats, after Sirius told us to keep the glamour hoods for now.
Three hours later saw us waiting nervously the last ten minutes until half-seven when the lot of us would be Portkeyed to Belvedere. Neville had actually bought the silk vest and wing-collared shirt he was supposed to be wearing, along with a robe with the Longbottom crest for the Heir Apparent. He was wearing a stud and cufflink set borrowed from his Father. Harry and I were also in our school uniforms, with Harry wearing studs and cufflinks from his grandfather. The girls were all dressed in nicer conservative dresses with matching flats.
Headmaster Dumbledore knocked on the back door. We opened it and went outside. He was accompanied by Professor McGonagall, and Croaker, who spoke first in greeting.
"The lot of you are dressed properly, which is good. We aren't bringing along Lady Augusta, since she can be a trying individual.
"Lady Hermione, are you a confirmed Catholic?"
"Yes, I was confirmed early once the Pastor found out I was going to a boarding school."
He asked, "Which Parish did you attend?"
"Our Lady of the Angles" she replied.
Croaker asked, "Are your parents active parishioners?"
She answered, "Not particularly."
Croaker stated, "Once we get to the point of having things smoothed out, your parents and you will want to change over to St. Benet. The pastor there, Father Cormac, is a Hufflepuff alumnus who went into the Catholic Ministry after graduating from Hogwarts in 1963. As I understand the way Catholicism works, you may have a 'service,' but not a Mass, since Neville hasn't yet even started converting to that faith, if he even plans to do so. However, the normal waiting period for a Catholic Marriage can easily be waived in this case. Fr. Cormac is a wizard and knows that there will be no divorce or request for annulment, which is why that faith now requires between six and eight months request in advance for any wedding ceremony. Do you intend to convert, or at least think about it?"
Neville answered, "I will think about, but I will prefer that Hermione and I discuss this with Father Cormac. Having him in our vest pocket may also work if Ian and Michelle Granger completely 'blow up.' If that is the case, we will need to talk to Fr. Cormac to accompany his Muggle counterpart at Our Lady of the Angels to make a parishioner visit.
"But talking religion right from jump might not be such a good idea. Your thoughts, Ron?"
And, here's part of why I'm going along. While I don't know this Dr. Ian and Dr. Michelle Granger, I did know a Dr. Ian and Dr. Michelle Granger, so I had some idea of how they would react.
"Neville, I would have the honest answers ready if you are asked. I would also remind them that you support Hermione's choices, including her choice to remain on good terms with them if at all possible. They will be upset if not angry, but it will be because they care for and love Hermione, and will see the present condition as a failure to protect her, as they should have.
"Has anyone thought to involve Father Cormac?" Amazingly enough, I got headshakes all around.
"It's still twenty to seven. Why don't we at least try to see if Fr. Cormac is available? If whoever is enchanting the Portkey can read the location from my mind, we can go to the pastor's house on the off-chance he is available?"
This is exactly what Dumbledore, who was the only one who could reliably read the location from my mind did. Two minutes later, we rang to bell to the 'Residence' door of the Rectory. Father Gabriel Cormac almost immediately answered the door. He was of average height and slender build, and was still in his cassock He asked, "What may I do for you this evening, and won't you come in?"
We entered, and I spoke. "Father Cormac, I'm Ronald Weasley. I'm somewhat familiar with you by reputation. Do you know of the Doctors Granger off of Horsa road?"
He replied, "I know of them, but they're in Father Mann's parish, or at least they were. Whatever news you bring suggests that they will be changing parishes. I had to help Father Mann get the Bishop to confirm their daughter early, and I believe that's you, Hermione?"
Hermione answered, "We did wonder how Father Mann was able to make that happen. From what I believe, he doesn't know about 'our' world?"
"If you mean the wizarding side of our world, no he does not. If the Bishop tells a Muggle priest about the wizards, it's usually not until they've been in public ministry for ten years. If he gets a Priest of wizarding background, we already know. I suppose this is a wizarding and religious issue?"
Hermione herself answered. "Yes, Father. Do you know what a 'soul bond' is?"
He answered, "I have heard of them."
She replied, "I am now Lady Hermione Longbottom, and carrying my first two children. My husband, Lord-Heir Neville Longbottom and I are in a soul-bonded marriage. We were about to inform my family, when Seneschal Weasley suggested that a clergyman such as yourself might be of assistance in comforting my parents."
Neville added, "I also, once the immediate turmoil is settled, hopefully without Hermione losing her parents, wish to learn about the Catholic Faith. It was important enough for her and her parents to go through a considerable effort to get Hermione confirmed before she entered school. While she and I are both in an emotional blender, I will not rob her of her chance to continue practicing the Faith, and would like to be married in this parish should we succeed in the next few minutes.
"However, we do need your help in this. Were we not soul-bonded, we are too young to be married otherwise, at least under any circumstances that even resemble 'normal.' I have yet to meet the Doctors Granger, or they me. Yet their not-quite twelve-year-old daughter and I, through no active fault of our own, are now more solidly and eternally married than they are.
"Seneschal Weasley, and his Liege-Lord, Lord Potter, are also soul-bonded to their wives. These marriages took place in the early hours of yesterday morning, at a speed much faster than previously observed. Our magical parents and guardians are supporting us, but it is also giving them a great deal of distress, and they have all grown up in wizarding society. The Grangers didn't even find out about magic until last October. So, someone familiar with both wizarding and non-wizarding society, and a clergyman as well, should be able to offer some assistance and comfort, should this even be available. Will you please help us, Father?"
Father Cormac spoke to the Headmaster. "Professor Dumbledore, I wish this was under better circumstances. I'm out of practice Apparating, and need to fetch my wand. While I'm fetching my wand and 'call bag,' please set the Portkey to the Grangers' house. I'm guessing your appointment was for the top of the hour, and it's five till now."
Two minutes later, Father Cormac made sure he had everything he needed, donned his Biretta, and locked the door. We Portkeyed directly to the Grangers' lawn, and rang the bell at precisely 6:59.
Ian answered the door. He was almost six feet tall, of average build, with thinning brown hair and eyes. Michelle was behind him, standing about five feet and nine inches tall of slender build, with dark brown hair and green eyes. Both Grangers were even more worried than they had been seeing the priest with Professor McGonagall, who started the conversation.
"Doctors Granger, you daughter is alright, but has experienced a life-changing event. May we please come in?" Ian and Michelle allowed us in, and silently guided us to their lounge. Everyone tensely took their seats about the room, except for Father Cormac and me. Professor McGonagall spoke again.
"Doctors Granger, if you recall our last discussion in June, I explained that the magical world had many arcane phenomena. Your daughter has encountered just such a thing. While this phenomenon. While her health is not in any physical danger, her age does complicate matters, more so in your world than in ours.
"There is a rare kind of marriage that is not sought; rather it is given by magic itself. This type of marriage is actually quite desirable because you are paired with another who is almost totally compatible with you in every way. However, it is given, not sought, and it is given when magic itself sees fit.
"Normally we only see one such marriage every several generations world-wide. However, three such marriages happened yesterday morning. And, when these marriages happen, the couple is quite literally compelled by magic itself to consummate the marriage by conceiving their first child. Out of the six people involved, your daughter is the oldest person so married."
Both elder Grangers were speechless in fear. Professor McGonagall continued.
"The good part of this news is that all three boys involved are well-off financially, and will only increase in wealth as the years pass on. Your daughter's husband also supports her completely in her education and ambitions, and as the heir to our equivalent of a major peerage will insure that every door your daughter approaches will open to her talents.
"However, this is a legally valid and un-breakable marriage under Muggle law, just as it is a legally valid and binding marriage under magical law and magic itself."
Father Cormac added, "Doctors Granger. I am both a Catholic Priest and a wizard. My parish is St Benet, just up the way a bit. I can add that even the Pope is unable to annul this marriage, or at the least that if he has such ability and authority that he will refuse to use it. I am here to offer counselling to the both of you, and to your daughter and son-in-law. I have spoken to both your daughter Hermione and her husband Neville. They both wish to remain part of your family just as they are now both part of his.
Croaker finally spoke. "My name is Algernon Croaker, Doctors Granger. I am a high official in the magical government. I can assure you that despite her young age, your daughter will be able to carry her children to term, and deliver them healthy without suffering any harm to her own health. I can also assure you that our government will do anything within our power to improve the means of communications between your daughter and you so that you can remain part of her life."
Ian and Michelle started to cry silently. From my experience with their counterparts, this was not a very promising sign. Hermione ran to her father and embraced him, sobbing, "Please don't hate me…" repeatedly. The rest of us either sat or stood in silence.
Michelle, meanwhile, asked Fr. Cormac, "What are we supposed to do, Father?"
He answered, "As painful as this circumstance is because of their ages, all you can do is support your daughter and her husband. They have both expressed a desire to have a sacramental marriage. We can hold a sacramental marriage service whenever you, your daughter, and your son in law wish.
The normal wait is to ensure that we do not celebrate an invalid marriage. However, under the circumstances, with their magical marriage already being ecclesiastically valid, the Bishop can waive the waiting period completely. Your son in law has already expressed interest in joining the church. Providing he does not prevent Hermione from practicing the Faith, and does not prevent Hermione from raising your grandchildren in the Faith, then there is no impediment to a sacramental marriage service."
"But what do I tell the rest of the family…" Michelle asked.
Father Cormac responded, "Tell them that you love and support your daughter and her new husband."
Hermione, who had been paying attention to her mum even while crying in her dad's lap added, "And you can tell the gossiping old biddies that I didn't even kiss my husband before we were married in the other ceremony. If that doesn't shut them up, then tell them that I won't be able to attend their divorce hearings, because I'll be at my anniversary party with the same husband I started out with!"
She went back to crying when "Prongs" made an appearance, walking to her, nuzzling her ear, and fading into her. He told my in my mind, "Better than a cheering charm, Old Man."
Not to be outdone, Neville finally spoke. "Doctors Granger, I am Lord Neville Longbottom, and I am heir apparent to the equivalent of an Earldom. With my father and mother being casualties of the last war, I shall take over the Regency of my family once I've completed my Hogwarts Education. The ghostly deer was sent by my close friend and political ally. He is part of one of the other two magical marriages from yesterday morning, and his Chief Seneschal is part of the third.
"While we all wish we were meeting under more 'socially acceptable' circumstances, I still am honoured to meet you, and hope that I may find comfort and shelter in your family as my wife and your daughter find in mine." He approached Ian confidently but respectfully and extended his hand.
Shocking everyone, Ian actually shook Neville's hand. He asked, "How would you handle this if it were your daughter?"
He looked Ian in the eye and answered, "Very carefully, with love and compassion. None of the six of sought the bonds we now share. Last week at this time, we were all still children; two of us weren't even looking forward to starting Hogwarts for another year. Today, we are spouses and parents ourselves, the claims of the calendar not withstanding.
"Our magical guardians are every bit as concerned as you are, and they grew up knowing at least something about these things. We are concerned, and we are living in the bonds and feel the rewards as well and the difficulties.
"The only way we can move is forward, together. We ask that even as frightened as you are for us, that you help us move forward. Please." Neville knelt before Ian.
Ian looked at him carefully. He then relaxed just slightly and said, "Get up, Neville. I can see that the both of you intend to see this through no matter what.
"I am your father in law, Doctor Ian Granger. Your mother in law is Doctor Michelle Granger. While we aren't happy, we will 'get over it.' Do you play golf?"
Neville answered, "I have yet to try the game. If that is how you relax, I will try to learn the game."
"Well-spoken, Neville. What about Hermione's GCSEs?"
"Ron Weasley, his wife Luna, and Harry's wife Ginny passed theirs after self-study this last spring, getting very high marks in all of their tests. Between their experience, and hiring tutors to come into Hogwarts and work with us over the summer, Harry, Hermione, and I hope to equal their results before graduating Hogwarts without harming our magical education. We will actually be sharing a suite of rooms to allow for this, as well as to allow for us keeping custody of and properly raising all of our children. Our lives will be rewarding, but they will not be easy or allow us to not do our best every day."
"How will we communicate with you?"
Harry spoke up. "My name is Lord Harry Potter. I am the Head of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Peverell-Potter. For the time being, I have a post-owl familiar, and my Chief Seneschal has a very magical Korat Kneazle familiar. Both are able to quickly move the post. Mr. Croaker will also provide options as they become available. Getting Muggle technology and magic to behave well together is not easy, and is not always possible.
"We will all also make every effort to visit as frequently as our schedules allow. While I have no idea yet how frequent this will be, we will do what we can. Hogwarts by normal design is a boarding school for non-married students. Headmaster Dumbledore is already being obliged to make many changes and exceptions to the school's normal way of doing business insofar as those ways affect us. Also, Father Cormac, do you have a Floo at your home?"
"I have the ability to have one turned on. We can set up a schedule to allow for you to come through the Floo, since unlike Squibs, actual Muggles can not communicate by Floo, though they can travel via Floo if they are being held by a magical person."
Croaker announced, "Regretfully, all of us need to leave with the possible exception of Father Cormac?"
Father Cormac replied, "I can find the place by car now that I've been here a second time. I will need to check the answering machine and drive back if you need me further this evening?"
Michelle replied, "No, Father, we will be good for tonight. When do you think you will have your Rectory Floo turned on?"
He replied, "That depends on the Floo Authority. Mr. Croaker?"
"I can Apparate you back to your Rectory, and we can make the appointment there, Father."
Ian asked, "When will we see the two of you next, Hermione?"
Croaker replied, "Probably Wednesday evening, after your regular practice hours. Headmaster Dumbledore will make the arrangements. Also, for reasons including the privacy of your daughter and son in law, we have held the "official" announcement back until Noon tomorrow. We removed your copy from the queue to preserve the privacy of your address, and here it is." Croaker handed Ian the notification letter.
"Finally, there will be a protective security guard watch kept on your home for at least the next few days. While the last Dark-Wizard War was ended ten years ago this coming Halloween, there are still a few ill-tempered individuals out there that have yet to be caught. While the chances of there being any difficulties are very low, we are taking NO chances. Does anyone have anything else?"
No one did, and Croaker Apparated out with Father Cormac. Headmaster Dumbledore said, "Professor McGonagall will be in touch. Hermione will, I'm sure, write you notes from time to time. If you have an answer handy, or if an immediate reply is expected, the post-owl or Kneazle will wait for it. Have a good evening."
With that, everyone grabbed the hoop, and we Portkeyed back to the Burrow. Mum and Dad had waited up for us, and let us in as Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall left directly from the back yard. We told them that everything had gone as well as we had expected, which it had. They left us alone, saying that they would be back to check on us the next day at five o'clock in the afternoon, and that either Harry or I should send an Adfero if they were needed sooner. Although it was only nine in the evening, we were all tired from the shopping and the emotional stress. We undressed and went directly to bed.
§§§
Saturday the seventh turned out to be a grey but unusually warm day, with a high of 28 degrees Celsius. This is just as well because of what Harry, Ginny, and Luna came up with. First, they insisted that we get up at six am and just get dressed on our shopping clothes from yesterday, but wearing the sandals instead of trainers and socks, and that Ginny and Luna would wear shorts instead of skirts. After we got dressed, brushed our teeth, and ate, I found out what the excitement was about.
Harry had viewed Ginny's memories of flying, and decided he wanted to try. So, at a quarter to seven in the morning, we all went out with six of the new Nimbus 2000s, and Luna and I tried to get Neville and Hermione flying.
After about an hour, the two were flying and Neville hadn't fallen and broken anything. This was good. However, they weren't having any fun, so Neville had Mipsy bring two lawn chairs so Hermione and he could watch the rest of us. Luna and I flew a few laps to make sure all four of us understood the limits of the privacy wards. This was at eight o'clock.
Meanwhile, Ginny and Harry had taken to the skies the minute they saw that Luna and I were working with Hermione and Neville. I actually had some trouble concentrating on our two total non-fliers with the pure joy I was being bombarded with through my bond with Harry.
Keep in mind that this Harry was only eleven years old, had only even seen a broom for the first time over a month ago, and was going mostly from memories of a ten-year-old girl, and memories of other fliers I had seen. He and Ginny sat their brooms while at a run and didn't slow down for over an hour and fifteen minutes.
They started by lapping the pitch so Harry would know the boundaries. This rapidly changed into "learning by doing," where based on my memories, they flew practically every Quidditch aerobatic manoeuvre I had ever seen, and proceeded to invent their own. This Harry was every bit the natural flier that "first-Harry" was at the least, and he and Ginny fed off each other as they soared through the skies!
After the first hour, they switched from insane aerobatics to insane aerobatics while hitting each other with colour changing charms. They were using low enough power that the spells would fade well before lunch even without a finite. Neville and Hermione were watching, and starting to get bored. So, Harry motioned for all of us to come down and land at eight.
"I have an idea for a game to play," he said.
"First, all four of us who like to fly know the limits of the pitch, and the two of you on the ground can see us, right?" Hermione and Neville both nodded.
Harry said, "We can play a version of tag between the boys and the girls. Wands only, Old Man. Can you transfigure two whistles?"
I picked up two rocks, and transfigured them into whistles, giving one each to Neville and Hermione.
Harry continued, "Ok. The girls and boys will take turns chasing each other while flying side by side. The chasers will try to touch the back of the person being chased with their wand and leave a colour changing charm for up to a minute per turn. If both chased players get touched, they stop and drop one piece of clothing. The same gender person on the ground also needs to remove the same piece of clothing. After losing a piece of clothing or going one minute without both chased fliers getting tagged, the fliers switch over and start again. Chased players get a two-count head start, and must keep moving. If either of you fly outside of the pitch, it's the same as getting double-tagged. Sandals count for two; we remove our clothes from the bottom up. Sound good?"
Hermione asked, "What do the losers have to do, Harry?"
He answered, "Make an offer the winners think is good enough. Anything done is done within our bonds only."
Everyone agreed that was fair enough, and decided to give it a try Ginny and Luna went first. Two seconds later, Harry and I took off.
Flying in close formation was easy. I flew on the right and flew like hell, and Harry kept up since he was by far the better flier. Ginny and Luna were doing the same thing. None of us had to say a word, bond or no.
Luna wasn't used to the broom quite yet, so Harry and I added a burst of speed and touched their backs with our wands. Their shirts got tagged blue, and Hermione blew her whistle.
We flew back to the end closest to the house. Luna and Ginny each toed off their right sandal at Neville's feet. Hermione reluctantly did the same. Ginny said, "Cheer up, Hermione. It's our turn next!
That it was. With the blast of the whistle, Harry and I were off. We flew all-out, and just barely managed to avoid being tagged before the whistle blew.
We flew back to the start again. "Best not count your chickens, eh Gin?" Harry taunted. She blew him a raspberry in response.
It was our turn. The whistle blew; we counted to two, and lay flat against the handles of our brooms. We caught them before they got halfway across the pitch, and actually had to slow down a lot to only touch their backs instead of poking them hard.
We flew back to Neville and Hermione. Neville had gotten bold and had Hermione let him remove her sandal. Luna and Ginny toed off their remaining sandals, dropping them at Neville's feet. It was a good thing we had them marked. The girls were now barefoot.
It was their turn to chase again. About thirty seconds into the chase, we were quickly approaching the edge of the field. Harry made a quick turn to the left. My turn ran wide, and I was entirely out of the pitch. Hermione and Neville both blew their whistles.
Harry and I flew to the end of the pitch, with Ginny and Luna close behind.
"Are those chickens I hear, or just guys getting their sandals taken away?" Ginny taunted.
Luna flew below me as Ginny flew below Harry. They tickled thee soles of our now bare feet before flying away with their prizes. Hermione had Neville on his hands and knees and swatted his bum once with each of his sandals, then with each of ours. Now, we were barefoot, too.
It was our turn to chase. Payback is such a sweet thing. Harry was distracting them by shouting 'fake' turn directions to me, which had them flustered. We hadn't actually said anything to each other yet. We were rapidly approaching the end of the field, with Harry shouting, "Break left! No, break right!" I almost missed his pointing up and over his outside shoulder; almost. I flew a perfect mirror to his Immelman, and bled off speed in tandem with him.
Luna and Ginny not only missed the edge of the wards for the Quidditch Pitch; they almost over-flew the road before they got turned around and back onto the field. That was their "double."
We flew back to the end of the pitch and hovered. Harry asked, "Hey, Gin. Can you hang over your broom like this?"
He demonstrated hanging over the handle with his arms on one side and his body on the other. She did, and he removed her shorts and knickers in one go, kissing her bum and the soles of her feet as he went. Luna was also able to do it, and I wasted no time stripping her. Neville undid Hermione's jeans and had her get on her hands and knees to remove them. He had her stand back up, pulled her knickers to the ground, and had her step out of them.
We had occasionally flown outside of the wards of the pitch without getting caught before. Just the same, we were all quiet for the next few minutes.
It was their turn. They herded us toward the corner of the pitch. They were trying to "fake us out" with fake calls like Harry did with them. They were actually watching Harry closely, as was I. I heard Harry giggle in my mind, which wasn't that reassuring, since I was only watching Harry, and not the boundary of the pitch. More unfortunately, for Luna and Ginny, they made the exact same mistake. We didn't realize it until the whistles blew, and we flew back to the start end, with Harry laughing riotously the entire way.
"What the hell was that?" Hermione exclaimed.
Between laughs, Harry answered, "Keep your shirt on, sis! No, wait… since all four fliers went out of bounds before the whistle blew, each team loses two pieces of clothing. So after Red and Gold nick our trousers and y-fronts, you don't keep your shirt on, or your bra!" He was off laughing again, and we all joined in, except for Hermione.
Harry went first, hanging over the broom while hovering over the girls' stack as Ginny undid his trousers and let them drop. She pulled his y-fronts down to his feet, and he let them drop the rest of the way. She then rose up next to him and gripped the handle tightly with her legs as he eased off her shirt, and unhooked her bra. She let the bra drop, and was flying naked with him only wearing his shirts. They flew in a circle as Luna and I did the same thing. She of course was wearing two tops instead of a top and a training bra. Off they came.
Hermione was down to her bra. We didn't think to say one way or another about the jumper vest she had been wearing over her blouse, and she had removed two pieces of clothing.
Ginny put paid to it quickly enough, though. "Hey, Hermione, you're the only girl with clothes left, so you need to get on your broom and get up here. It's the guys turn to chase.
She chewed her lip, sighed, and turned her back to Neville. "Unhook me, please?" she asked sheepishly. With her bra on top of the pile, we all landed to find out what the girls would offer.
Luna suggested, "How about we three girls fly three laps around the pitch?"
Hermione refused to get on a broom. She said, "I'm afraid of heights; can I just run around?"
Ginny said, "That's too tame. How about all of us girls taking it in the bum from our guys while riding together? You can run around for that, Hermione, can't you?"
Hermione was blushing, but she was also smiling as well. "Who has the 'jelly’? We can't have Trevor out too long, or he'll go on walkabout again."
"Why do you call it Trevor?" Ginny asked.
"That's how I met Neville, Ginny!" she answered.
"I had just finished changing into my uniform, and was opening the shades in the compartment when there was a knock at the door. I opened it up to find Neville Longbottom, crying like he had lost his last friend on the face of the earth."
"Well, at the time, Hermione, I thought I had. Somehow, you decided you liked me anyhow, but I still had to find Trevor. I had less than zero confidence for a lot of reasons, see? So, Hermione helps me hunt up and down the entire length of the train for something like four hours. But, as time went on, I realized that this pretty girl was also pretty smart, too! And, she didn't mind hanging out with me, either. I felt even better as I realized that I knew a lot of stuff that she didn't, and that I was following along with her explanations of the stuff she knew that I didn't!
"We ended up meeting Ron and Harry towards the end of the train. We get to talking, and I realize that I'm talking to the real Harry Potter, and the real Hand-Cast Ronnie, and that Hermione hadn't a clue! And instead of acting like imitation Malfoys, they were real people! I felt something that I couldn't identify with the two of them, but it was because I doubted I had the magic in me to feel anything. Or, so I thought.
"Do you guys remember what Headmaster Dumbledore said about my parent's wands? We didn't know that yet, and I was sent to school using my Dad's wand, with part of his soul lodged within it, and was actually trying to cast spells through the wand.
"Ron let me try his second wand, and from that second, I knew – there was nothing wrong with me except for my confidence. I was really a wizard!
"With that came the realization that Harry and Ron had already sealed a soul bond, and by the feel of it, it was going to be off the charts! But, I couldn't tell them, because they probably wouldn't have believed me. But, back to Trevor. Ron taught Hermione a quick spell to zero in on him, and we had him found inside of ten minutes.
"Ok. Move forward to Thursday Morning. We ended up going out into our clearing because there really wasn't anyplace else available. I'm in my nightshirt, undershirt, and y-fronts. She started out in full uniform. I get naked, and she gets as far as she can. She ditches the flats, the knee socks, and her knickers. She gets the skirt off, and says, 'to hell with the rest, and let's go already.'
"At this point, we were losing control, and badly. But as she lies down on the ground, and I'm about to enter her, she says, "Ooh! I've found TREVOR!" because at that point I had just pushed it in her, and hard.
"We kept going, getting her out of her clothes as we go, and she keeps calling out "TREVOR!"
"Finally, after we climax, and we get our breathing under control, she reaches under the small of her back, and pulls out a toad! It wasn't Trevor, but how would she know when it was under the small of her back.
"When we were ready to do it again, I told her, 'Don't look now, but here comes TREVOR!' Through the rest of the morning, we just kept calling 'it' Trevor, and the name stuck."
We gathered around Harry, who had dug a tube out of his trouser pocket. He put a dab on the tips of Hermione's middle two fingers, and in the palm of her hand. She took care of herself, "Trevor," and then backed on to it. He did the same for Luna and Ginny, capped the tube, and walked over to his broom to get ready to mount.
Those of us flying had to straddle our broom, get it in, and get flying. Luna's and my flying wasn't nearly as acrobatic as when we were flying side-by-side. In fact, our flying was downright tame, except that we were also having sex whilst doing it. Between the "thrill" of actually having sex while flying, and the underlying "tension" from being afraid of getting caught having sex on a broom, we had a great time. We still had no intention of doing it again. As we thought that, Luna giggled evilly. I was not reassured.
Harry and Ginny were crazy. He was standing as gently as he could on her feet with all four of their feet in the stirrups. He wrapped himself around her, with both of them gripping the broom handle. They were going all-out with each other, both were flying the broom, and they were also flying more acrobatically than many would fly alone.
They both came after about five minutes. Luna and I came right after, but more from the feedback from Harry than anything we were doing. We landed, and Luna dismounted.
Harry came up behind me, stretched my cheeks apart hard, and slowly pushed it in. I was instantly hard again, even with tears in my eyes.
"Remember me, Old Man?" he asked. "Gin said 'all' the girls! Us, too, since we take turns.
"Wrap your legs around outside of mine, get your feet behind mine, and stand on the stirrups."
He stood on my feet and we flew! We did manoeuvres on that broom that I hadn't seen before, while I was holding on for dear life and he was hammering my arse like it was an anvil! We lasted about four minutes, and made sure we were not over flying anyone when we came. He flew us around and landed.
But instead of quitting, he said, "Switch!" and got in front of me. Ginny put a dab of 'jelly' in his hand; he slicked me up, fingered some into himself, and backed on. He had our positions completely reversed, and took off again.
He was flying the broom again this time as well, and backing on to and off of me like he really meant it. So, while once again holding on for dear life, I was the hammer this time, and his shouting had a different, if still happy tone. We lasted for about six minutes before climaxing again, and nearly passing out from the intensity.
We finally came down to land, and start getting cleaned up. Ginny and Luna had already gotten Neville, Hermione, and themselves cleaned up using Aguamenti and soap, and were now cleaning the brooms. Fortunately, the brooms actually managed to stay mostly clean, just needing the handles polished. Harry's and my "mount" was the last one needing done. Neville and the girls took care of that, while Harry and I got each other cleaned up.
We looked at, and more importantly smelled the brooms to make sure that we hadn't left any "lingering reminders" of what kind of riding we had been doing. Mipsy brought a plate of sandwiches and pumpkin juice. While Neville usually preferred orange juice, none of us complained. We ate our lunch quickly.
Mipsy checked our work on cleaning and polishing the brooms. She gave them an extra "snap-clean," and we polished them quickly before having Mipsy put them away in my trunk.
Mipsy had also cleaned and folded our clothing. Neville and Hermione walked off towards what was now "their" clearing. Mipsy sent their clothes out there for them. It was half-one.
The four of us finished taking care of each other, showered and shampooed in the loo, and dressed again. It was now three o'clock.
The girls sat at the table while Harry and I checked the cooler box and cooker. Mipsy had a fairly good-sized pot roast in the oven.
Harry said, “Dinner smells great, Mipsy. What time do you plan to have it ready? I don’t want to rush you; I just want to know when it will be ready.”
She answered, "Mipsy will have Master's pot roast ready at 5:30, unless Master wanted it at a different time."
Harry replied, “Five-thirty should be fine with Mum and Dad returning at 5:00. Thank you.”
Harry and Ginny retrieved two of the brooms and went flying again. They left their sandals in the house, but behaved themselves because we expected Mum and Dad home at five o'clock.
At four o'clock, Neville and Hermione walked up to the house. They were still naked, 'clean enough' to make it if they didn't have to touch anything, and were talking in their minds. Harry stopped them and hosed them down with his wand and Ginny helping them. They followed this up with drying charms for both them and the grassy area where they had been standing. They were clean enough to make the loo, with the doors opened for them. Four thirty saw the both of them clean and freshly dressed. Harry and Ginny joined us after Mipsy gave them the use of a flannel to dry their feet.
The girls were drinking tea and we boys were drinking sake when the clouds opened up at ten minutes to five. Mum and Dad came home via the Floo at five on the nose, looking more than slightly tired. Ginny and Harry ran to Mum and welcomed her home. I wasn't that far behind, nor was Luna.
Mum asked, "Where were all of you today?"
I answered, "We were outside in the back garden flying. Were we supposed to be somewhere else?"
"No, just that Lady Augusta Longbottom claimed that the lot of you were at Longbottom Hall, and were not taking interviews."
At first, we were all confused. Then, I remembered. Today was the day the Ministry publicly announced our "public" Soul Bonds.
I asked, "So the ministry did make our wedding announcements today?"
Mum answered, "At noon precisely, just like Professor Dumbledore and Mr. Croaker said."
"How many reporters were camped out at the gates to Longbottom Hall?" I asked.
Mum thought for a moment, and answered, "Just about all of them. Skeeter was definitely there."
"My guess is that we all owe Lady Augusta, we kids certainly do." I finished.
"We even had Hermione and Neville flying for a few minutes." Harry added.
"And who was 'we,' Harry?" Mum asked. He got the vibe just a little slower than everyone else did. Fortunately, Dad came to the rescue.
"Molly, Ginny has been flying almost as long as the boys and you know it. She's actually a little better than Charlie was at that age. She basically taught herself while Ronnie was running the eggs and the Muggle newspapers. I kept an eye on her until I was sure she had things under control, which didn't take that long, really."
Mum huffed, and sat down at the table. The rest of us joined her.
Dad asked, "So how did everyone do with flying?"
I answered, "Everyone did alright. Hermione and Neville don't care for flying, but they were able to do a lap of the Quidditch field at a quick trot without any problems. They watched the rest of us fly for a while after that. Then they went on a walk in the woods.
"Luna is a good flier, but not that great. She can fly, and enjoys flying, so no problems there.
"I'm alright myself, but if I went out for Quidditch, I'd be more of a keeper than any of the long-fliers. I am manoeuvrable at slow speeds, but for the long stuff, I'm just not quite that fast. Not that I couldn't outthink other fliers, but I'd be a better keeper than a chaser or a beater."
"You kept up just fine with me." Harry interjected.
"Harry, I was flying all-out, and you were shadowing me easily." I answered.
I turned back to Dad. "In case you didn't figure out, one of the things a soul bond does to you is it allows you to 'read' the memories of your partner, and they you. If it's something that interests you both, it's even more intense. Harry and Ginny got to thinking about flying, so they convinced the rest of us to do it.
"'Reading' a skill from a bond-mate isn't quite the same as learning the more traditional way. I won't say one is better than the other, since I honestly don't know. And it is no substitute for real talent. If you 'read' something you honestly can't do, then you still won't be able to do it, or if you actually do do it, you still won't have done nearly as well as someone who can.
"Harry is probably the most natural flier I have ever seen. Ginny is great, but Harry is even better, and they'll both get better as they grow up!"
Having an idea, I asked, "Ginny? Have you figured out the Adfero yet?"
In answer, she drew her wand, and incanted: "Adfero Ron Weasley What are you banging on about now? Adfero"
Ginny's racing mare made its appearance, turning around in the living room, and returning to the kitchen to deliver its message before it faded into the ether.
Harry set his wand pointing away from everyone on the table, and wiggled the fingers of both hands in the air whilst grinning like mad. The end of his wand gives the briefest of flashes before 'Prongs' entered the kitchen and walked up to Ginny. Its message was; "That was really mean, Gin, but I still love you anyway."
The messenger Patronus nuzzled Ginny's ear as it faded into her, sending her off momentarily into pure bliss. Feeling just a little smug, Harry holstered his wand.
I said to Dad, "Did you notice their forms? Their flying is the same way. Compare a champion racing horse to a champion racing stag, if there were such an animal in real life. Comparing their flying is something like that."
Everyone seemed to have noticed something else, too; which caught their attention more quickly than a ten-year-old girl doing a beyond NEWT communications variant of a NEWT level defensive spell. Starting to feel shy and defensive, Harry asked, "You are all family, right?"
Mum came around, hugged, and kissed him, since he was now "one of her own." She said soothingly, "Of course we are, Harry. But we hadn't noticed before that you were able to do that, and it was a bit of a surprise."
"Really?" he asked with shining eyes.
She kissed his forehead and answered, "Of course, son."
She then said more for the room, "Not that a ten-year-old girl and two eleven-year-old boys throwing around spells many adults can't do like they were Lumos and Leviosa spells isn't impressive, either."
That brought 5:30, which saw Mipsy set the table and bring the pot roast. We all ate our fill, which was more than normal for all six of us kids, and there wasn't a scrap left. To 'humour' Mum, we all pitched in to clear the table, and wash the dishes.
After we put everything away, we all went into the living room. Dad and Mum tried a little sake along with us boys. He liked it, she didn't. Harry had Ginny and me get out our guitars, and show him how to play them. Between being bonded to both of us, and actually having a talent for music, he was playing both acoustic bass and six string as well as or better than us within an hour.
He became almost melancholy for a minute, remembering something between Ginny's memories, mine, and his own without letting us know what it was. Then, he began to play.
It was actually one of the songs that Ginny, Luna, and I had to perform for our Music GCSE practical. But our experiences of the past week brought a new meaning to the words.
"Travelling north, travelling north to find you
Train wheels beating, the wind in my eyes
Don't even know what I'll say when I find you
Call out your name love, don't be surprised …"
He sang Vashti Bunyan's Train Song complete, and in the same key as she recorded it in during the early 1960s. However, he was putting his heart into the song even more so than Ms. Bunyan had.
Mum, Dad, and I couldn't help but think about the "other train" he said he would have boarded, had I not found him. I also thought about the pure joy that came into my life, even without me realizing for another three and a half hours. 10:44:44 on the First of September of 1991 would be a date forever engraved in my heart, just as 11:00 AM on the Eleventh of November 1918 would be forever engraved in the hearts of those Britons who lived to see the day.
Luna showed me her memory of the late morning of the First of September. She and Pandora both 'saw' that she needed to see the train depart even if she didn't see me, but they couldn't travel to the station with us. She actually caught the barest glimpse of me, with my being unaware, right before Ginny stopped chasing the train down the platform.
Hermione and Neville were also lost together in thought, thinking about their own journey on the Hogwarts Express, and how it saw them eternally joined three nights and a morning later.
It was a thoughtful and silent bunch of us who kissed Mum and Dad good night, put away the guitars, and silently rotated through the showers. Hermione and Neville fed Crookshanks and Trevor before using the showers first. Harry fed and petted Hedwig and I fed and petted Lucky Boy while we waited. Luna and I went next, while Harry spent more time bonding with his owl, and being in Ginny's company. They were last, and also took longer since Ginny had the longest hair of the three girls, and because he was almost addicted to brushing it.
We finally got undressed and into the bed. Hedwig was on her perch, Lucky Boy decided to lay out at my feet, and Crookshanks was cuddled under Hermione's chin. I Nox’ed the lights, and we were fast asleep before ten-thirty.
§§§
Harry and I woke up alone and on top of the covers, fully dressed, at about 10:30 in the morning. We were each wearing the exact same clothes as we had when boarding the train, complete to the trainers Harry thought he binned at Madam Malkins. Harry was wearing the mustard-yellow socks, and if my own feelings were anything to go by, we were wearing the exact boxers we had worn when boarding the train as well.
Luna and Ginny must have been watching through the bonds, because they came in at that moment, carrying the picnic basket. Luna said, "Harry seems to be very sentimental, and this is actually your 'one week anniversary.' You had made so much potato salad and sandwich spread that your Mum put it up in the chiller box, and layered a preservation spell on top of that. We've actually had some of the sandwich spreads the past few days, and they were very good."
Ginny said, "Mum baked the bread during the day Saturday at Pandora's. Pandora packed the basket almost exactly like she did the one last week, but she added a third plate of the tuna sashimi, and one tokkuri with two saucers. Mipsy can keep one topped off just as easy as two, she said, but that you needed to make sure neither of you drink too much."
Luna told us, "Mum said you were 'riding the Pullman' today, whatever that means. We'll leave you to catch your train. Unless something comes up, we won't expect you down before suppertime. Neville and Hermione are out in the back garden. I think they were 'looking for Trevor.'" Luna giggled before adding, "I think she'll find him, too."
They both said, "bye," before Ginny added, "Platform Nine and Three Quarters! Mum can't I go?"
They left, closing the door behind them. It was 10:44:44 exactly.
"Hogwarts first-year?" I asked him. He nodded shyly, and we finally kissed each other 'good morning.'
"What's a Pullman?" was his first question, and in fact his first words of the day, since to that point he was speechless with all the trouble the girls and whomever else was in on it went through for us.
"It's a type of railway carriage that has fold-down beds for the passengers to sleep on. They're named after the American who was wildly successful originally for building and running them in America. They run them on the Muggle side here in the UK still, and the Knight Bus has beds in it at night instead of the chairs they run in the daytime."
"Ok. How much of our train ride are we actually re-enacting today?"
I answered, "Well, the Malfoys and us don't get along, so definitely not that. Something tells me that Neville and Hermione will 'find Trevor' long before they get to the sleeping carriage section, so there isn't that either. Mum could come by with a trolley with wizarding candy on it, but I kinda doubt she will. There's just some things you don't want to 'catch' two of your sons doing, even if you know they're doing it."
"Like each other?" he asked without thinking.
We both caught what he said at the same time, and started laughing so hard that we fell off the side of the bed holding each other in mirth.
After we straightened ourselves and each other out, we sat back down on the edge of the bed. He suggested, "Let's check inside the hamper. Hopefully, they left a note?"
We did, and the note was on top. It read:
The trolley lady will not be coming by. I've left two chocolate frogs each for you and one box of Bernie Butt’s to share. Most of the rest actually went bad and had to be binned. Ginny and Luna are enjoying the rest (hopefully sparingly). Since this was their idea, and since they managed to do most of it without me knowing, and all of it without you knowing; you owe them that much.
"Happy Anniversary"
Mum
Both of us were shiny eyed after reading that.
I said, "I guess we'll talk, eat, treat our familiars, and make love. We'll then clean each other up, go to the loo for a full shower together, then get dressed again and go down to supper. We'll need to 'treat' Ginny and Luna for thinking this up, and for actually doing it, too."
Harry asked, "Does that mean me getting upset and crying on you again?"
"Only if you want and need to, Harry. But I'll be with you always, the bad times as well as the good."
"Can we eat on the floor beside the bed, Ron? I don't want to get crumbs on it."
"Yeah, there's more than enough room." I said, as we moved the basket on to the floor.
He said, "Familiars first?" as he cast the spell to open the window and let Hedwig in. A "Mrrow" from the bed told me that Lucky Boy knew that he had a plate of tuna sashimi waiting on him as well.
We stood up and visited with our familiars. Hedwig had plenty of food in both her "upstairs" and "downstairs" perches, but wanted the attention and crisp streaky bacon Harry had on offer from the hamper. Lucky Boy was more 'cuddly' than he had been in ages. I also noticed the box that Harry set on the nightstand under the serviette.
Once their 'fix' for attention was shared with us, Hedwig flew back out of the window to go downstairs. Lucky Boy miao'ed at the basket. I took out his plate and set it on the floor far enough away from us so he would have plenty of room to eat. He placed a front paw in each side of the plate, miao'ed again, and vanished plate and all.
"Can we eat now? Better yet, can we start the dares, then start to eat? With all the time I've spent either barefoot or wearing shoes that actually fit, these trainers are driving me nuts, and Uncle Vernon's old dead golfing socks aren't any better. In fact, if we do any more 'anniversaries," which I'm all in favour of by the way, just burn these and get me a pair of ratty Converse trainers at the second-hand shop that actually fit me and some ugly mustard-yellow socks at Tesco's, ok?"
"I guess so. How do you want to do this?" I asked.
He replied, "If I knew you'd have done it, I'd have dared us to remove each other's clothes instead of our own. You dare me to eat the sashimi and share some sake, I'll dare back that we remove each others trainers and socks first, and we'll do it and start eating barefooted."
"Ok, Harry. I have some raw fish and alcohol in the hamper. I dare you to share it with me."
"I dare you to take off my trainers and socks first, and let me take off yours, too," he answered, extending a foot.
"You didn't know I'd go along with it," I said playing along, "but ok."
I removed each trainer and sock in turn, throwing them quietly out of the way, and kissed the tops and soles of each foot as I did.
"My turn," I announced, extending my feet towards him. He did exactly as I did, one foot at a time. We got back to sitting cross-legged across from each other. I passed out the tuna, and set the tokkuri where we both could reach it. Harry got out the saucers, poured for both of us, and got out two pairs of chopsticks. He handed me one pair, split the other pair, and we started to eat. Harry was quickly making good use of the chopsticks.
We both made quick work of the sashimi, drinking two saucers each as we moved along. Beyond the sake, we were sticking with water, since the taste of the pumpkin juice "clashed" with the sake.
I passed out the potato salad and forks, and I set the three sandwiches on top of the picnic basket. I also got out some serviettes to use.
"My turn, again, I dare you to remove my outer shirt and holster, let me remove your outer shirt, and then you remove both of your holsters," Harry said.
I replied, "I dare back that after we do your dare, you remove my t-shirt and let me remove yours. You can put your glasses back on after that so we can eat."
"Deal," he replied. We moved the potato salad out of the way, and stood in front of each other. I removed his outer shirt and tossed it out of the way, and caressed his shoulders, tracing down to his right arm. I removed his holster, set it on the nightstand, and embraced him, kissing him tenderly.
He returned the favour with the outer shirt, minus removing the holsters. He asked, "When can I re-pin your holsters? If I actually do need to take them off of you, I can't right now."
"Harry, we'll do that when we get dressed back to go downstairs. That's roughly when I pinned yours, remember?"
"Yeah, you're right. It stung like mad, though not as much as the cologne! We don't have to redo that, do we?"
As I set my holsters beside his, I replied, "Not unless you want to. But it is rather warm in here?"
He hugged and kissed me, tracing the top of my left foot with his right big toe, and as he moved his hands, he lifted my shirt up. I followed along his example, and we stopped when we both got to each other's armpits. He removed my t-shirt and tossed it to the side. I removed his, and handed it to him. He polished his glasses, put them back on, and tossed the t-shirt to the side. We kissed, hugged, and caressed each other for a minute, and sat back down.
Over sandwich halves, potato salad, and pumpkin juice, we continued to talk. We set the tokkuri and saucers on the nightstand for later on.
"What do you like most about me?" he asked.
I replied, "Physically, your smile. I love you, remember. Though I also love your body too…"
"My smile?" he asked. "I thought that I was the only sappy one! That's my number one for you, though I will admit that I haven't smiled as much as you deserve. Two through five are your eyes, your face as a whole, your feet, and your hands. Your ass and your penis tie for sixth." he finished with a blush.
"Me too, for you" I replied, feeling my face burn as well. We finished the rest of our food quickly.
I poured the sake, and handed him his saucer. As we started a sip, we both got the bond-warning "Incoming!" We drained our saucers in one go, set them to the side, and we got ready for the intrusion.
-KNOCK!- -KNOCK!—
"Start of an ill-timed corny joke…" Harry muttered as I wandlessly unlocked and opened the door."
Hermione and Neville were both standing there, in their full Hogwarts uniforms, as they were on the train. Neville, though, wasn't nearly so teary, or Hermione so bossy. But they did come in, and close the door behind them.
"These Pullmans must really be hot, 'Stubby.' On the train last week, you were only barefoot, and your friend Ron was still fully dressed. Should I fetch a paracetamol? Or a cloak?"
Harry grumbled, "Not helping, sis!"
She walked up, kissed him on the forehead, and ruffled his hair. She did have to get up on tiptoe to deliver the kiss.
While she did that, Neville got a nightshirt out of his trunk. He said, "I thought interrupting instead of sending Mipsy was a little much, too. But we did interrupt more or less now, in how far you've gotten. We had a different errand than Luna and Ginny thought, so we're off to 'find Trevor' now.
"Whenever you're done, put on fresh y-fronts and each others clothes, but stay barefoot. Mipsy has already fetched their skirts. By the time you two are done, and you eat 'breakfast for supper,' they will only want to be carried up here and 'appreciated.' They might not stay dressed, and they might want to take care of that part for all four of you before you carry them over the threshold again. Even though they aren't listening in, the feelings are coming through. Luna says that she's already gone through two pads, and that number three is getting close.
"Your mum and dad won't be back until half-nine, and it's just one now, so no worries. Cheers!" With that, Hermione and Neville left, closing the door behind them. I wandlessly locked the door, and raised the privacy charms up as high as I could put them.
I asked, "Now, where were we…"
Harry said, "Let's have one more saucer each. Then, we'll do it more or less like on the train, but just a little bit faster. I don't think the girls realized just how much comes through the bonds. I wouldn't have thought of it either, come to that." I poured the saucers, and we sipped them while standing facing each other.
He asked, "Do you want to stand or sit when we do mouths? The bed is at an awkward height for me, at least."
I replied, "We can stand. Do you want to do bums on the bed or the floor?"
"Let's do that on the floor, on a towel, Ron. The girls won't want to wait that long and Mipsy has been doing a lot of cleaning up after our sex lately."
"Sounds good to me," I agree as we finish our saucers. "Now, I dare you to pull my trousers to the floor and help me step out of them. And be careful, I 'popped out' half an hour ago."
"Me to," he answered as he undid my trousers.
He added, "When you wear boxers, at least the cheaper ones like we did, you have to shift them the opposite way of where your penis tends to hang to keep that from happening. I just figured that out on my own. I think that Dad would have told us, if we hadn't gone straight from 'naïve' to 'sexually active,' or at least he would have told you, since the 'sexually active by weird but wonderful magic' is why I have a Dad again.
"Sirius might have said something, but without 'us' happening, I don't think I would have been meeting him anytime soon, either. By the way, Gin doesn't know the boxer trick either. And I measured it for her right after our shower last night. Or rather, I showed her how to measure one with mine. It's eighteen long by fourteen around now."
"Must have been Luna's idea," I said as I helped him step out of his trousers. "I'm up to sixteen by thirteen and a half.
"And I got 'ambushed' by 'popping out' on the train. I never wore y-fronts as a teen or grownup, and I didn't expect to be that horny or that naked on the train."
"Ron, can you just use a severing charm on them? I'm not getting soft anytime soon, and I'm too long…" he trailed off in frustration.
"I'm on it." I said as I severed both his and my boxers above the fly up through the waistband. He held his up and I did too as I stood.
"Just let 'em drop while we kiss and finger?" I asked.
"Yeah, Old Man." he replied. We let go of the now-dead boxers and held on to each other. We kicked them away as we caressed each other's feet with our own….
§§§
Three o'clock saw us finish dressing each other after we cleaned up in the pan. We even put on cologne, though Harry was much more careful this time around. We also brushed our teeth with Aguamenti water, banishing multiple pans of water. The towels vanished, and the covers turned down as we shared one more kiss before going down to 'breakfast.'
Instead of the work clothes, we would otherwise have expected them to want; we were dressed as they asked for. My clothes fit Harry much better than the clothes he had worn to King's Cross fit me. But, the y-fronts kept us 'under control' somewhat better, and wouldn't have to be cut off somewhere between the bedroom and outside the back door. I sent an Adfero downstairs to let the girls know to have 'breakfast' ready. Harry also sent an Adfero along, after ejecting his wand from his holster, several feet away on the nightstand.
I heard through my bond, "Now why didn't I end up with the romantic one?" I wandlessly sent the reply, Adfero Luna Weasley Because you fell for the first pretty arse you saw, but I love you too. Hopefully, this will sink into you on your lap instead of humping your leg. Since it's only a Jack Russell Terrier, it can't reach your ear flat-footed on the ground. Adfero.
As we opened the door, we heard Luna and Ginny both break out in laughter, which cut off with "Awe!" from Ginny and silence with a burst of happiness from my bond with Luna.
We entered the kitchen and said, "Good Morning, Ginny, Luna."
They both answered, "Good morning or rather good afternoon."
Luna asked, "How was your 'trip.'
I replied, "Great, but it's good to be home again. Thanks for coming up with it, by the way."
"No problem" Luna answered.
As we each sat down next to our 'lady bonded,' I asked, "Where'd the Adfero go?"
Luna answered dreamily, "He went into my cheek as he kissed me. By the way, if you get your form back, no kissing on the mouth unless you're human."
I answered, "Agreed." as we served ourselves some of the 'fry-up."
Harry asked after chewing and swallowing his first bite, "This is great, whoever made it. Was it the two of you, or Mipsy?"
Ginny replied, "It was Luna and me. Ron's a better cook than I am, but I do know how to cook."
Harry said, "Me too. Now that I have family instead of relatives, I might actually like taking a turn in the kitchen. While they never starved me outright, I had to do almost all the cooking, and while making enough to feed two whales, never quite got to eat enough to not feel hungry all the time."
We continued to eat. I noticed that the girls made a fair bit of a fry-up, between sausages, streaky bacon, eggs, and diced potatoes. We politely but quickly ate, saying little even through the bonds.
Ginny asked, "Has anyone noticed that they're eating more?"
I answered, "I've noticed that we're all eating more. I'm guessing that the bond is a good part of it, especially for you girls. You're also pregnant, and will need to eat more anyway, especially Hermione and most especially for you, Luna. When we get, or get back to Hogwarts, we can have Madam Pomfrey give us a physical if they don't think to have her give all of us one, anyway."
With our meal finished, the plates vanished. I said, "Thanks, Mipsy."
The answer I got was, "Odo is saying your welcome, Master Ron. Mipsy is helping Master Neville and Mistress Hermione."
We stood as one and went out the back door. As I passed, I said, "Please leave it open until we come back in and close it behind us? Also, please open the door to our room?"
"Odo does Master Ron's bidding" was the reply.
"Thanks again, Odo" was mine.
Harry and I noticed that they were wearing their shorts and Birkenstocks from yesterday. Luna and Ginny handed each of us our pair.
As we put them on, Luna explained. "It isn't quite our anniversary. And we've been so hammered with hormones while we waited that even with you two rushing, we wanted something a little different.
"We will undress ourselves and each other like we did for our game of tag yesterday. You can carry us inside after we all are starkers together, and carry us up to the room. It's a little after half-four, and Molly and Arthur aren't due back until half-nine. But we'll want to be cleaned up again, and wearing regular clothes to share a late supper with them after they left us alone again.
"We might be sharing the loo with Neville and Hermione. They were in the Quidditch field just before you guys came down. She was running faster than yesterday" she finished with a smile.
Ginny added, "We'll just have to improvise a little, since we didn't want to fetch the brooms just to help us get…" Thanks again, Odo.
I said, "We'll get some exercise at least, and I don't want us flying up next to the house. Your turn for the sandals, girls."
They mounted up, and toed off their sandals in turn. We switched.
It was more fun all the way around to just hover as we lost our sandals. Luna was also more affectionate.
Ginny said, "Ok, lean over your brooms!"
We did, as we 'lost' our trousers and y-fronts. We got extra kisses on our feet and bums. We also got a little more. Harry lasted about four minute, I lasted only three and a half. The girls said that we both were 'tasty.'
Luna said, "Ok, let's switch up!"
Ginny added, "You know what to do."
We switched places, and removed their shorts and knickers. We kissed their feet and 'cheeks,' but we saved the real action for around front.
On the one hand, while I "knew" what I was doing, Harry didn't other than to "do what she asks." We were also both eleven-year-old boys. And the "unique" tongue exercises one needs to do to please a woman just don't occur to eleven-year-old boys to even try, much less master.
On the other hand, we were doing what we were doing in the first place because we were already married, with a type of compelled magical marriage that increased our sexual appetites, but also allowed us to share the physical sensations of our partners.
Finally, the girls were "hammered on hormones," and if they had "taken things into their own hands," you couldn't tell right now. They were dripping down to our sternums within two minutes, and climaxed so hard after five minutes that they "sprayed" us, and we all nearly passed out!
They remounted the brooms normally, and hovered just a foot and a half or so above the flagstones so we could remove their tops. After they were starkers, they dismounted and leaned the brooms up against the house. They removed our shirts, kissing us as each pair of shirts came off.
As the brooms and all the clothing vanished, Harry said, "We'll need to know how to 'reward' house-elves for particularly good work on particularly 'unpleasant' jobs. Even if they actually like to clean the types of messes we've been leaving, they'll be doing the sheets again before we go to bed, plus several towels and flannels, and that's not counting whatever Hermione and Neville got in to on their extended 'Trevor hunt.'
We heard "TREVOR!" off in the distance, and almost fell to the ground in laughter.
"Take us upstairs and make us shout, too!" Ginny exclaimed quietly.
As Harry picked Ginny up, Luna added, "Finish the front door before going to the back. We don't want to take a wash break until we're done, and also don't want to set the doorway on fire."
As I carried Luna behind Harry and Ginny, she spoke silently "Did your 'anniversary' go ok?"
I replied into her thoughts, "It went really well, and we had a great time. Thank you to both Ginny and you for thinking of it, and setting it up. It meant more than either of you could possibly imagine to both of us, particularly Harry. He said that if we do anything like that again, to get him an old pair of trainers from a second-hand shop that fit."
Luna sent, "Ginny will be upset if he did anything to them, even without knowing why they were saved in the first place. She saved the trainers and socks to wear herself. It's a bit mad, honestly, but that why she saved them. We thought of the anniversary thing while we were watching and Ginny was feeling Harry while were at the Grangers Friday. We checked with Molly while the two of you were distracted that night. There would have been no way Ginny and I could have duplicated either recipe. Mum was happy to have Molly over baking Saturday, too."
We had just entered the bedroom, with me kissing Luna as we walked in. Harry and Ginny hadn't made it to the bed yet, but they were already "busy."
Luna decided to follow her sister-in-law's example, and wrapped her arms around my neck. I grasped her thighs from the outside, and picked her up as she crossed her ankles behind the small of my back. It was a lot harder than it looked, but it was fun…
§§§
The four of us did more than a little bit 'more.' We moved in pairs through the loo, and got dressed again. Harry and I were wearing flannel shirts over coloured t-shirts, and canvas trousers. Luna was wearing a short-sleeved top and lace under-top, with khaki shorts. Ginny was wearing the same, except a training bra instead of a second top. Luna, Harry, and I were barefoot. Ginny was wearing "her" trainers and mustard-yellow socks. They were cleaner now, so Mum wouldn't get upset about her wearing them through the house. They were also slightly too big for her, and probably always would be unless she had them shrunk. Harry was quietly glad that he resisted his first instinct to have me banish them while he watched. He and Ginny were sitting at the table turned towards each other. His feet were in her lap, and she was alternately caressing and massaging them. Luna and I sad amused to their left.
Hermione and Neville had come down from their shower not two minutes ago. They were both wearing fresh nightshirts and bathrobes. Odo and Mipsy had a pork roast with potatoes, carrots, and celery in the oven to come out any minute. It was eight twenty.
"So, Neville," I asked, "what errand did Hermione and you have this morning?"
"We went to see Ian and Michelle this morning at nine-thirty in nice 'regular' clothes. They were much better after having had a day or two to get over the shock. They're leaving it up to Hermione and me whether we want a Church wedding, but said that they would pay for it if we wanted it, and provided that we get help from Croaker to make 'attitude adjustments' where needful. We had breakfast in Greenwich, and got back about ten minutes before we 'interrupted' you."
Mum and Dad came in through the back door just then. They took off their coats and joined us at the table. Dinner was served, including tokkuri for us boys, tea for Mum and Dad, and pumpkin juice for the girls. They had been to Xeno and Pandora's again.
The six of us kids all ate more than we had been, to the point that a not very small roast and sides was utterly consumed.
Mum asked, "You kids all seem to be eating more, even you girls. Are you feeling well?"
I answered, "We've noticed it too. We're guessing that it's the bond, seeing that the girls have only been pregnant for three days. We plan on having Madam Pomfrey give us all physicals once we all get back to school to make sure."
The six of us all pitched in with clearing the table and washing up, to keep Mum happy that we weren't getting 'lazy' for having two house-elves around. All three familiars came down for a late meal while we were washing up. Hermione got to put the food down while the rest of us finished up with the dishes.
Harry visited with Hedwig for a few minutes while we all had one more pumpkin juice or tokkuri. Then, knowing that tomorrow with the goblins would be beyond troublesome, we headed upstairs as one. We got undressed, into the bed, and were fast asleep before ten o'clock.
- 11
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