Chapter 231
"We did the potion." Sirius spoke up. "Hearing of your three forms makes meregret we didn't do the meditation. I love my Padfoot formbut nowI'mwondering if there was a better one."
"Personally I think the Grim suits you, Sirius," Minerva said dryly, "but I wouldn't
be surprised if you and James might have had the option to transformintowolves." She looked at Harry. "I would think with Remus in your life that wouldbe an option for you too, Harry. There's a part of you that no doubt considersyourself as part of his pack." Harry nodded. "So I guess I read up on the meditation technique and
process?" Minerva nodded. "We'll go over it at next week's lesson."
"Great!" Harry enthused. "I can't wait!"
"I highly recommend a dog form." Sirius said, shooting a teasing grin at
Minerva.
"Cats are far superior." Minerva retorted, smiling.
"I was thinking of a bird." Harry responded with a rueful smirk, surprising. "I
just…I love flying and it feels right."
"You are a natural flyer." Minerva said with a nod of approval. "It wouldn't
surprise me if a flying form was available to you."
"I hope so." Harry said. Sirius nodded. "I can see you as a bird." He admitted, although deep downhecould admit to himself that he was hoping that Harry would choose a canineanimagus form. He cocked his head, hearing Remus talking with Dobby inthekitchen. He turned to Minerva. "Are you staying for dinner?"
"I would like that." Minerva accepted. He ushered her up the stairs before he reached out and pulled Harry to himina one-armed hug. "Looking forward to the World Cup?" Harry grinned. "I can't wait."
"Yes, thank you for my ticket, Sirius," Minerva said, glancing over her shoulder, "it's been a long time since I've been to a World Cup final."
"If it's anything like the Duelling finals, it should be excellent." Sirius said. TheDuelling finals had been a fantastic display of skill and imagination –Harry
had been enthralled.
"Filius said that it was a good match." Minerva commented as they emergedinto the kitchen. "I understand Colin Blishwisk won?"
"Hilliard almost had him at the end there." Harry commented wistfully.
"Yes, and Toby Hilliard will be teaching the Duelling elective." Minerva saidcheerfully. "I believe Filius was finally able to convince himby promisingsomeprivate tutoring." Harry grinned. "I'm glad I signed up for the elective then." Sirius hid a smile at Harry's enthusiasm. He could see the change in Harry inregards to his schooling, the surge of curiosity and thirst for knowledge andskills; it pleased Sirius no end. Remus cleared his throat. "Simeon made a fire call and confirmed his timeof
arrival tomorrow. He said he's looking forward to the Quidditch."
"It's just as well I bought an entire box for us to use." Sirius complained
without any real ire. He figured Simeon had arranged his visit to coincide withthe cup but he wasn't bothered – in fact he was pleased. Simeon was a highlytrained Auror and it was good to have someone that skilled on their side givenwhat they knew about the planned Death Eater activities even if Sirius hadevery intention of ensuring Harry was nowhere near the action.
"Everybody is leaving Dobby's kitchen." Dobby said sternly. "Dinner is ready for
Harry Potter and Harry Potter's family." A smile broke across Harry's face as he coaxed Dobby into coming andeatingwith them since Harry considered the elf part of his family; as Remus andMinerva made their way into the dining room talking about some obscuremanuscript on family magic; and Sirius felt his own heart lift. Harry Potter's family.
It sounded perfect to him.
..... August 20th 1994
Hermione hovered nervously next to her parents as they dusted off their
clothing in the Black reception room. The entire immediate House of Blackwas in attendance because of the arrival of Simeon Black and his family –hiswife, Anna, and his baby son, Jason. The Regent Apparent for the House of
Black had arrived earlier that day from Australia and everyone was gatheredtomeet and get to know him.
Penelope smiled at Hermione and ushered them out and down the corridor tothe large Summer room. The furniture had been mostly cleared out althoughthere were a few seating areas discreetly laid out. A table with drinks andnibbles took up the back wall but the French doors had been opened up, leaving the garden accessible as it was a lovely sunny day. Hermione could see Andromeda and Narcissa on the lawn talking with awoman with blonde hair and cooing over the baby she held. Further intothegarden she spotted Lucius talking with Professor McGonagall; Remus stoodunder a tree chatting to Ted. She grimaced as she scanned the roomquicklyand found Draco tucked into a corner, sitting on a sofa and glowering as
Tonks chattered on about something to him. Poor Tonks, thought Hermione. It looked like the young Auror had drawntheshort straw and been told to look after Draco. She was vaguely aware that
Andromeda and her family had been meeting with Narcissa and Draco sincethe last family meeting in July as a way to get him acclimated with interactingpolitely with people he would normally simply sneer at as he adjusted tothenew world order.
In some ways she felt sorry for Draco; he'd essentially gone frombelievingheand his father were at the top of the food chain only to realise someone elseoccupied the position and would be quite happy to eliminate himif he somuch as looked at someone the wrong way. But she couldn't deny that alargepart of her was gleefully smug at him getting his karmic comeuppance for
being such a bigoted prat. Unfortunately, she also knew that Narcissa hadspent the Summer teaching him to hide his prejudice better not that he
shouldn't be prejudiced.
She straightened as she realised that she had missed her parents greetingSirius and Harry who stood by the door in a somewhat informal receivinglinealong with another man who looked very much like Sirius; black hair, blueeyesinstead of grey, but the same haughty classical handsome looks that definedthe Blacks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 232
"…and this is Hermione." Sirius declared, nudging her forward towards thestranger. "Hermione, Simeon Black." Hermione curtseyed as Andy had instructed her, letting her head bowforwardjust a touch but not fully. "Senior Auror Black."
"Simeon, please." Simeon said with an easy grin, the faint hint of France inhisAustralian accent. "It is a delight to meet you and your parents, Hermione. I
believe my Uncle Alphard would have given his wand arm to have met you; thefirst muggleborn daughter of the House of Black." Sirius snorted. "We're lucky to have her and we have two now since your wifewas inducted earlier." He winked at Hermione and nodded at Harry. "Why don't
you kids catch-up now all the introductions are done?" Harry grinned at him, shot Simeon a shy smile, and Hermione marvelledat thechanges that had been wrought in her friend over the course of the Summer. Harry looked better, for one thing; healthier – his skin glowed, his dark hair
shone, his green eyes were bright and he looked a healthy weight. But healsolooked cared for with his clothes good quality, clean and well-fitted; his
glasses new and fashionable. He no longer looked unkempt. More importantly, he also looked happy; brilliantly happy and content in a way that Hermionehadnever seen in the three years of their friendship.
She'd had her doubts about Sirius's ability to take care of Harry despite thefact that she'd gently hinted to Amelia Bones in her interview at the start of
the Summer that Harry would be better away from the Dursleys. After all Siriuswas a stranger and what did they know about him beyond his innocence andthat he was Harry's godfather? But Sirius had risen to the occasion. It wasclear to everyone he loved Harry and would do anything to protect him. Perhaps though, Hermione considered, as Harry walked her over to the
refreshments as she began outwardly quizzing him on their Transfigurationhomework, it was the other change in Harry that had Hermione flustered; hissudden appreciation for studying.
It wasn't as though she didn't know Harry was intelligent – he was very bright – but in their previous three years at Hogwarts, he had only displayed that
when he had absolutely needed to and the rest of the time seemed content tofade into the background. As someone who loved studying and who couldn't
resist showing how much knowledge she had, (a bad habit of her own, sheknew – her own parents had remonstrated with her about showing off andintellectual arrogance), she couldn't understand it. Well, she could when she thought about the additional attention Harry wouldgarner from being smart and intelligent and top of the class.
She sighed inwardly. If she had learned one thing as the friend of Harry Potter
it was that the wizarding world felt it had every right to know everythingabout
him and had no compunction about highlighting the least little thing –not
always in a positive way. At least Sirius was now controlling the press tosome extent and tackling the awful fictional books that had been writtenabout Harry's young life. And it seemed with that security and Sirius's
encouragement for Harry to make the most of his studies, Harry had let goof
whatever it was that was holding him back intellectually. She felt a flutter of nervousness. Hermione couldn't deny that she was maybe a little worried. Harry's
knowledge of Runes was as good as her own and when he'd demonstratedthe boost to his magic to her one day showing her some of the non-verbal
transfiguration he'd done, she'd known he'd surpassed her in her favouritesubject. She wanted to dismiss it as simply being down to his powerful magicbut she'd known he couldn't do such a transfiguration if he hadn't understoodthe wand movements and theory behind it either. He was good at debating too. He preferred to sit back and let her, Ron andNeville have their say first but when he entered the debate, they all listened; hejust had a way about him. She was beginning to wonder whether he wouldneed her help studying anymore; whether he would need her friendship
anymore. Which was silly, Hermione acknowledged as she listened to Harry talkingabout the Laws of Transfiguration and why he thought it should be possibletotransfigure something living out of something non-living.
Harry wasn't her friend just because she'd helped him with his homework andcontributed to solving some of his more adventurous problems. But she
couldn't help remembering how Ron and he hadn't talked to her for weeksafter the Firebolt incident. The initial falling out had largely been her ownfault. She had gone behind Harry's back; if she'd talked with him…
But the length of time that they had taken to reconcile and her increasingdepression at their failure to forgive her had been the fault of the boys. It hadtaken far longer than she had anticipated (and indeed calculated when shehad weighed up her decision to take the broom situation to their Head of
House). As Harry usually didn't hold grudges (besides Professor Snape whoregularly tested her own deep-seated belief that all teachers deserved respect
and Draco Malfoy who was a prat of the first order), she blamed Ron whohadalso been waging war at her over Crookshanks and Scabbers. Her friendship with Ron was a completely different animal to her friendshipwith Harry. She doubted that without Harry, she and Ron would ever havebeenfriends. It had been because of Harry that both boys had arrived at the
bathroom in time to rescue her from the troll – the incident that had
effectively begun the trio's friendship. Ron had disliked her intelligence andthought she was a bossy know-it-all and she hadn't been that enamouredof
him either. But the day after the troll, when Harry had excused himself for thebathroom, Ron had quietly apologised for insulting and upsetting her, andoffered her a slightly battered chocolate frog he'd been saving. Hermionehadbeen touched at the gesture and sacrifice (because she knew howRon lovedhis sweets) and accepted. Since then, their friendship had been a mix of thetension that had characterised their relationship before the troll (in other
words, sniping at each other) and after (namely, something rather sweet andaffectionate).
By comparison, her friendship with Harry had none of the volatility of her
friendship with Ron. It was much more straightforward; they each acceptedthe other despite the irritation of their various flaws (Hermione knewshedrove him round the bend with her attitude on studying and her bossinessat
times whereas his ability to outright ignore authority and be stubborn droveher nuts) and treasured the friendship between them. She had a poster inher
muggle bedroom that stated 'friends are people who know your flaws andloveyou anyway' and she thought it summed up her friendship with Harry perfectly. Perhaps, Hermione considered as Harry led her, drinks in hand, out to thegarden to meet Simeon's wife and son, it was because neither she nor Harryhad experienced friendship before Hogwarts (one of the few things Harry hadlet slip about his life with the Dursleys). They both appreciated their friendshipmore because of that. And that was why she had been so hurt by his and Ron's refusal to speak withher. She had forgiven them both – partially because they'd been truly
repentant, partially because she'd been truly repentant, and mostly becauseshe'd missed them. But the whole incident had prompted Hermione to thinkabout her friendships once the school year was over, and she thought it hadmaybe prompted Harry into thinking about his friendships too. Since the beginning of the Summer and his return from the healing clinic, they'd grown closer. Some of it, Hermione believed, was her inclusion in theHouse of Black, but most of it seemed down to Harry's own decision tocultivate a closer relationship with her. He'd written to her (and OK, Ron too) ina journal which she had read cover to cover and more than once; he'd
changed to Runes and dropped Divination and they were now studying
together for the opportunity to skip a year; he'd asked Sirius if Hermione couldjoin him for his Potions and his politics lessons without her reminding him;
he'd let her hold his hand and comfort him in the Chamber of Secrets.
And she was warmed by his actions. She knew Ron held a special place inHarry's world because Ron had been his first friend of his own age but nowshe felt she occupied something of a special position too beyond his first
female friend – a more equal position, and it reassured her to some degreethat Harry wouldn't just take Ron's side in future. She wasn't certain that hadbeen Harry's intent but it was the result.
Interestingly, Harry had also seemed to make the same decision as she hadabout making more friends. Losing Harry's and Ron's company had madeHermione realise just how isolated the trio was – how isolated she was. Neville had been quite sweet to her – if he saw her in the Gryffindor CommonRoom he'd sit and chat with her if Ron and Harry weren't around. She'd alsotaken some solace in her Arithmancy study group which included PadmaPatil
and Lisa Turpin but they only met twice a week and truthfully, they focusedmore on studying than getting to know each other. No, she had decidedearlyon in the Summer that she needed to make some additional friends outsideof
Harry and Ron. Luckily, Harry seemed to have come to the same conclusionand the Summer's activities had been great at building some decent nascent
friendships with Susan, Hannah and Neville. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 233
She had also tried to build something of a friendship with Ginny, promptedbyan end of term conversation…
She sighed heavily and lowered her hairbrush, giving up on taming her hair, and turning away only to bump into Ginny who she hadn't noticed was
hovering by her bed. "Sorry, Ginny. Did you want something?"
"I was hoping to talk with you." Ginny admitted, her hands twisting together.
She looked around the empty dorm room and back to Hermione with hopeful
eyes. Hermione gestured at her bed and they both sat down.
"So what's this about?" asked Hermione briskly.
"Well, it's…it's about Harry…do you…" Ginny hesitated, looking around at theempty room again, before she took hold of her Gryffindor courage and
ploughed ahead, "what do you think Harry thinks of me, I mean, as a friend?" She blushed bright red. Pity stirred in her at Ginny's question. "I think Harry probably thinks of youasRon's little sister," the same as she did, "rather than as a personal friend, Ginny." She said bluntly. Ginny slumped and she folded her arms; a picture of dejected misery. Hermione sighed. "Look, Ginny, if you're serious about being Harry's friend, then you need to get him to see beyond the 'Ron's little sister' tag and seeyouas your own person." Just as Ginny needed to see beyond Harry's 'Boy WhoLived' status and see Harry as a person. "You have to make an effort tobehisfriend rather than someone who sits with her brother and his best friendsoccasionally. Talk to him. Get to know him."
"I just never know what to talk about." Ginny admitted, looking down at her
feet.
"Well, what do you like that Harry likes?" Hermione asked. Ginny's expression cleared and she smiled brightly. "Quidditch." Her face fell
again. "Not that my brothers and Mum let me play that much."
"It's a start." Hermione pointed out. She gentled her tone. "I knowHarry
appreciates friends so I'm sure he'd appreciate a genuine effort." And not asshe suspected an attempt to get closer to the Boy Who Lived. "Just talk tohim, strike up a conversation." Ginny nodded slowly. "I just…it's hard for me to talk to himbecause…"
"Because he's the Boy Who Lived?" Hermione said scathingly.
"You weren't raised in the wizarding world, Hermione," Ginny said defensively, "you don't know what it's like! I was raised on stories about Harry! And I knowthey're fiction but it's hard not to think of him as a knight in shining armour
especially when…well…"
"He's actually been your knight in shining armour." Hermione concludedwithaheavy sigh. "Look, I understand that…" she held up a hand when Ginny startedto get defensive, "troll, remember? He's saved me too. But Harry hates theBoyWho Lived stuff and you'd be better forgetting all about it and trying to get toknow the real Harry." She paused to let her words sink in. "And you have to
remember, Harry doesn't see himself as a knight in shining armour and hedoesn't think that he's going to end up marrying the girls he saves –Merlin!
Harry's more interested in Quidditch than girls." She'd thought she'd drivethepoint home. "Boys take a lot more time to mature than girls."
"But Fred said he and George started dating in their third year and so didPercy!
Bill got caught in a broom closet when he was in fourth year." Ginny argued. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Maybe your brothers were ready for girls in thirdand fourth year but that doesn't mean Harry is or will be! Maybe Harry will
want a girlfriend next year, maybe he will start dating someone but…" shemotioned absently with the brush she still held, "I can guarantee that he won't
look twice at someone who sees him as the Boy Who Lived!" Ginny's expression turned to contemplation. "So he's more likely to ask
someone out if they're his friend first."
"Genuinely his friend," remonstrated Hermione gently, "but, yes."
"Will you help me?" asked Ginny suddenly, shifting position to look at
Hermione with a determined expression. The request took her aback but she caved with one glance at Ginny's hopeful
eyes. "I'll help you become friends, Ginny." Hermione agreed. "But really you'rethe one who has to make the effort to talk with him."
Of course, Hermione had talked with Harry about Ginny, and Harry seemedOKwith the idea of being friends with her, but Ginny seemed to still have thesame problem about talking with Harry that she'd always had. It seemedlikeGinny couldn't get over her crush and her blushing and stammering madeHarry feel uncomfortable so he rarely talked with her for long. Still, at thelast
dinner with the Weasleys they'd attended together, Harry had commiseratedwith Ginny over the pain of using Skele-gro and Ginny had managed five
minutes without clumsily upending her dinner by being in his presence, somaybe things were progressing towards a friendship (and Hermione was
pleased about that, she was). She believed Ginny would always want morethan that though. Hermione dragged herself away from her thoughts long enough to shakehands with Anna, Simeon's wife, and say hello to the baby. She happily
chatted about their different muggleborn experiences until Anna began
questioning Harry about the Wizengamot. She stood back and let her
thoughts drift again. Truthfully, Hermione was aware that she'd had a similar problemto Ginny –Harry saving her from a troll might have engendered a small, miniscule, tinycrush – but she'd been more fortunate that Harry had been completely
clueless and she'd been able to act normally around him for the most part andbuild a friendship with him. And at the beginning of the Summer she truly
hadn't thought of Harry as boyfriend material for herself when her parentshadteased her. Three years of friendship with Harry (and the rift over the Firebolt) had madethat the most precious thing in her life; she didn't want to lose it over fanciful
romantic notions that she was sure Harry would never return. Hermione
wasn't unaware that objectively there were prettier girls than her in Hogwartsand she had believed Harry was more likely to fall for a pretty girl than a smart
girl thanks to the pressure on Harry to conform to expectations for the Boy
Who Lived. Not to mention her unswerving belief that Harry wasn't thinking
about girlfriends yet – something their conversation at the first barbequeof
the Summer had upheld to some extent. Hermione had in contemplating her own romantic readiness determinedthat
she was ready and she secretly wanted to have a boyfriend who would pay her
compliments and hold her hand and maybe share a kiss or two. She alsothought it unlikely that anyone would want to date her, (she knewthe commonmythology was that boys didn't go for smart girls), but she hoped, hopedthat
someone would. Of course, she had intellectually considered Ron and Harry as possible
boyfriends because they were close friends and therefore safe. But she hadalso dismissed them because her objective review of themas possible suitorshadn't been a positive one; Ron was a lazy student who shared very little incommon with her although he had a kind heart, and Harry was smart andsweet but he was also unlikely to look at her that way, and although they didhave more in common (muggle raised and only children), their interests weredifferent. No, a different boy to be a boyfriend should one come along wastheway to go. However, things had changed since she had made her decisionat
the beginning of the Summer. Harry had changed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 234
And so had Hermione. Hermione was now a daughter of the House of Black and it had given her asense of security and belonging in the wizarding world that she hadn't felt
before as a muggleborn. That security had allowed her to ease off her own
determination to know everything she could about everything she could. Sheenjoyed politics but her favourite lessons had been the cultural outings –getting to know the heritage of the world she'd found herself in. Not only that, but her Mum and Dad regularly visited the wizarding worldinaway that would have been unthinkable before. She had gotten up late onedayto find Andy in the kitchen with her Mum gossiping away with biscuits andtea. Her Dad had attended the Duelling finals as Sirius's guest and he'd beengolfing with her Dad. Hermione was so immensely grateful that her
relationship with her parents – a relationship that had been drifting slowly
apart – had mended itself back into the strong unit of her childhood. She had a plan now for what she wanted to do: she wanted to be a Healer andcombine muggle and magical medicine. She planned to build a medical
research laboratory that would work on cures for rare magical illnesses suchas lycanthropy and Neville's parents' condition, and some muggle –she
wanted to cure cancer! She knew it would be hard work – she'd have tocatchup her muggle education and do a medical degree as well as train for her
Healer Mastery but she was convinced she could do it. And she would havethe backing of the House of Potter, the House of Black and the House of
Longbottom.
It all led to a more confident and more settled Hermione – one whose best
friend Harry was also more confident and settled himself. He had maturedover the Summer with the advent of his House responsibilities, the additional
time he had spent in the Valley clinic and the healing he had received. Hehadbecome a Harry who Hermione could wistfully see would make a great
boyfriend. And he had been so very attentive to her. Maybe, maybe, maybe…
It was all leading her thoughts in dangerous directions, Hermione told herself
briskly as baby Jason crawled across the grass to Harry. Harry absently
handed her his glass and she took it so he could stoop down and pick upthewriggling infant patting his feet. Jason made a grab for Harry's gold-framedglasses.
"Seeker," declared Harry as he avoided the grab with the skills of one. His
hand caught Jason's fist and he calmly adjusted his hold.
"Glad to see you're training your replacement already, Harry." Professor
McGonagall said dryly as she joined them. Harry grinned at her. "You know that's not a bad idea. Ron's always goingonabout how the professional teams have reserves." Professor McGonagall hummed but Hermione could see the idea tickingover
in her head.
"You seem very practiced there with a baby, Harry." Tonks said as she arrivedto join the group. "Is there anything you want to tell us?" She teased.
"Only that a couple of the neighbours used to bring over their babies for thecoffee morning gossip sessions." Harry explained, jiggling the baby. "My Aunt
always had me baby-sit them so she and the others could enjoy a baby-freeenvironment." He rolled his eyes expressively.
"Where's Draco?" asked Narcissa worriedly, looking around the garden. Tonks gestured towards the house where Draco could be seen talking withhisfather, Simeon and Sirius by the door. "Uncle Lucy collected himfor a
man-talk."
"Nymphadora," Andy said briskly although Narcissa looked amused rather
than angry, "try to be respectful." Harry concentrated on the baby but Hermione could see his smirk. He pulledaface and made Jason gurgle with delight. Hermione could see howthe
amusement faded from Harry's face to be replaced by something sad andcontemplative. And suddenly, time seemed to slow down as a gold and silver mist appearedfrom nowhere, rushing around the assembly of women, Harry and the baby…The family totems formed either side of Harry. Each woman reached out and placed a hand on Harry. Hermione watchedasher own glass fell from her hand and bounced across the grass as she placeda hand on his shoulder.
Anna was the only exception; instead of touching Harry she delicately bit thethumb of her free hand and drew the protective rune they had used in theblessing ritual across her son Jason's forehead in blood without saying aword, her expression dazed. The snake hissed something at Harry who nodded shakily and in the next
moment, the totems dissolved into the mist, swirling around the assembly
briefly before disappearing again. Hermione gasped as she came back to herself. Anna shook her head and reached anxiously for her child, shooting Harry asuspicious look. "What just happened?"
"Good question!" panted Sirius as he ran up. He put a hand on Harry's
shoulder as Harry handed the baby over. "Everyone alright?" Hermione nodded quickly along with everyone else.
"Harry, what happened?" prompted Sirius when he remained silent. Harry sighed with a chagrined look at Jason. "I was just thinking about…" hiseyes flickered to the Malfoys lurking just behind Simeon, who had placedacomforting arm around his wife, "about the blessing ritual we did."
Hermione got the message immediately and she could see Sirius knewexactly what Harry was referring to as well; Lily's protection that kept Harry
safe.
"I was thinking I wasn't much older than Jason when…" Harry's eyes grewpained and Hermione's own heart clenched painfully in her chest, "you know, and I was thinking it was a shame that I couldn't extend the blessing to Jasonespecially as he's in the line of succession for the Black Lordship if somethinghappens to us both so…"
"So the family magic jumped to do your bidding." Sirius completed, amused. Harry nodded and glanced apologetically at Anna. "I'm sorry if it scared youbut the blessing ritual we did for me now extends to Jason. The House totemconfirmed it." Sirius held up a hand as Simeon went to ask a question. "I'll explain later, Simeon, but suffice to say, your little critter is now blessed under the
protection of the family magics in a very special way."
"This family magic stuff is very unnerving," Anna said her accent strident inher distress, "it felt like I wasn't in control."
"I'm really very sorry," Harry apologised again, "it recognises you as a daughter
of the House after the oaths this morning and…" he motioned vaguely withhis
hand, "apparently it can direct those under oath?" He looked over at Siriusquestioningly; it was Remus who answered. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 235
"There are some stories about family magics taking control of those under
oath if there was a compelling reason to do so – usually for protective
purposes." Remus motioned at Jason who was grasping his mother's
necklace and attempting to suck on it. "It would seem the family magics
deemed your desire to protect Jason as falling under that premise."
"No harm, no foul." Simeon said before Anna could reply. "I look forwardtohearing exactly what this blessing means." He added, glancing at Sirius beforeturning back to his wife. "We should probably get this one cleaned up andsettled so we can enjoy dinner." Anna nodded and they walked away back to the house. The adults all
dispersed leaving Hermione and Harry alone with Draco.
"I guess family meetings will never be boring with you around, Potter." Dracosneered, pushing his hands deep into the pockets of his robes. Harry stiffened. "It's not like I plan it, Malfoy."
"You never do." Draco sniffed haughtily.
"We're supposed to be civil towards each other, Malfoy." Hermione reminded
him tartly. "Or have you forgotten already?" He glared at Hermione and she glared right back at him. Draco rounded on Harry. "I see you've already run and told your little entouragesecret family business." Harry drew himself up smartly. "I haven't said anything, Malfoy. What wasagreed between your family and Lord Black has remained secret but
Hermione is intelligent to work it out for herself that we supposed to haveacivil relationship when dealing with each other." Hermione wondered, not for the first time, exactly what had happened whenSirius had faced off with the Malfoys.
"So you say." Draco said although he seemed a tad more subdued.
"Look, between the Quidditch World Cup and the family stuff, we're goingtobe seeing a lot of each other over the next week and then there's Hogwarts. We have to get along so why don't we agree a truce?" Harry thrust his handout. Draco looked at it blankly for a long moment but slowly he withdrewone handfrom a pocket and shook it quickly with only a faint air of disgust evident inhis pointed features. They both dropped their hands quickly.
"Harry!" Remus called out from the open door and Harry sighed.
"I should go see what that's about." Harry looked at Hermione uncertainly andthe brief flicker of his eyes to Draco gave away his discomfort at leavingher
alone with their Slytherin nemesis.
"Don't worry, Harry, I'll be fine." Hermione assured him, despite an internal tugof doubt. Harry nodded slowly. "Malfoy." His parting word was a warning to behaveandHermione felt a flush of pleasure at Harry's protectiveness. Draco sneered at Harry's back.
"He was telling the truth you know," Hermione said casually, "he really hasn't
told us anything."
"He hasn't even told the Wea…I mean, Weasley?" Draco said sceptically, onepale blond eyebrow arching.
"No, he hasn't." Hermione said sharply. "Harry takes the House business veryseriously."
Draco gave a snort. "I'm sure." He snapped. "But you'll forgive me if I don't
believe Weasley won't take advantage of the situation." Hermione frowned, remembering how Ron had laughed at the idea of civilitybetween Harry and Draco during their last etiquette lesson and his assurancethat even if Harry had to be civil, Ron didn't. But she also remembered Harry'sreply.
"Actually, Harry's already informed Ron that if Ron starts something withyou, Harry will have to take your side as a matter of upholding the House of Blackhonour so it would be better if he didn't. He's also assured Ron though that if
you start something with him, then he's also honour bound by the alliancebetween the Houses of Potter and Weasley to stand with him, and as he'stheHeir to the House of Black, he can punish you for your behaviour." She tookabreath. "Since the family magic really does love him, I would be careful not toupset him, Malfoy." Draco had paled at her last statement.
"And I would rethink getting your friends to do your dirty work – Harry will seethrough that in an instant." Hermione continued.
"You think you know everything, don't you, Granger?" Draco replied snippily. "For your information, I haven't been allowed to see my friends this Summer
and have been forced to spend time with Nott and Zabini."
Hermione's eyebrows rose a tad at that admission. It made sense that LuciusMalfoy would want his son socialising with those who would have allianceswith the House of Black even if Nott's was one of mutual non-aggressionandZabini's was still being negotiated since Sirius had refused the initial pitchof amarriage alliance between himself and the Widow Zabini. "And I'msure theonly reason you dislike spending time with Nott and Zabini rather than Crabbeand Goyle is because Nott and Zabini can think for themselves and won't
immediately do your bidding." Draco flushed red and she knew she'd scored a point.
"Honestly, Malfoy," she continued, "I would have thought a Slytherin wouldappreciate being encouraged to build alliances with strong and intelligent
allies rather than simply putting up with…with minions."
"Like I said," Draco retorted finally, "you don't know everything." His chin went
up. "Crabbe and Goyle are my friends." As well as minions. The unspoken words hung in the air between them. Hermione nodded slowly assessing that he was sincere. "Maybe I don't knoweverything but I know Harry's changed a lot this Summer and he's very seriousabout the civility and the truce. I suggest that you and your friends do your
part to keep both."
"And you'll do your part?" asked Draco with a sneer that clearly told of his
disbelief that the Gryffindors – and most probably, Ron, in particular, wouldkeep the truce. Hermione rolled her eyes. "And yes, we'll do our part." Draco stared at her as though assessing her sincerity, Hermione realisedwithamusement.