Sunday, June 23rd, 1994
Harry Potter watched with misty eyes as the memory of his parents stepped into the house. Xenophilius had said this had taken place just a couple days after his first birthday. Which meant his parents would only be alive for another four months. They would never look different than they did at that moment. Harry studied his parents, wanting to move closer, but not wanting to interfere with the memory. His beautiful mother was carrying a baby carriage with one hand. Harry could not see inside it, but he could hear someone – and he realized it was him as a baby – cooing and babbling.
Behind Harry's parents, two more people entered the house. The young woman was holding what appeared to be a young girl against her. Harry's eyes widened as he realized they were also very familiar. But it was impossible!
"Xeno, I hope you don't mind we brought guests," James Potter said, "Let me introduce you to a couple Muggles I recently ran into... long story. Turns out their daughter is one of us. Xenophilius Lovegood, this is Daniel and Emma Granger, and their young daughter, Hermione."
"What?!" Hermione gasped, beside Harry, "Mum? Dad?"
"What is this?" Dan asked, almost demanding, "What's going on?!"
"I think this is a good time to pause the memory," Xenophilius said.
The figures near the door became frozen in time.
"Mr. Lovegood – Xenophilius – what is going on?" Emma asked, "That... that is us! That's Hermione, she must be nearly two years old."
"You don't remember any of this?" Xenophilius asked.
"No!" Dan said, "I think we would have remembered meeting Harry's parents and you. Remembered being here. No offense meant, but you have a home that wouldn't be forgotten easily."
"Ah, it is as I feared then all these years," Xenophilius said, with a sigh. "This isn't the only time we met each other. But that was also a long time ago, and to you, I was a complete stranger! It was the first week of November of that same year. A few days after James and Lily were tragically murdered. Pandora was heartbroken. She and Lily were best friends, you see. One day she wonders if Dan and Emma – the two of you - knew about what happened to James and Lily. So, we went and visited you at your place of business. We were told where you worked, you see. Is it still the dentistry in Crawley? Lovely place."
"Yes, it is," Emma said, "We've owned it -"
"Since before Hermione was born," Xenophilius said, "I remember. But, you see... when we found you, you didn't know who we were. I knew at that moment... and it has been my theory all these years... that somehow your memories had been modified. To the point where you didn't know me, my wife and daughter, nor did you know the Potters. Nor did you know your daughter was a witch! As you'll soon see as we continue this memory, all of this was something you had knowledge about. James and Lily explain it better."
"So... so someone modified my parents' memories?" Hermione asked.
"Modified, yes, that is important," Xenophilius said, "It is unknown if they modified yours as well. But that can be easily answered. Dan, Emma, around the end of 1981, and on, when Hermione was young, did she ever mention Harry's name?"
"Now that you mention it," Emma said, "She did when she was young. We thought it was an imaginary friend. After a while she stopped. She never brought him up again through her childhood."
"Then your memory wasn't modified, Hermione," Xenophilius said, "Whoever was responsible for doing this must have decided a child's memory was too fragile to permanently remember something like all of this. I say modified and not Obliviation. Thankfully, memory modification, even long-term, is easily reversible, and can be accomplished by Healers. Recent discovery, in the past few years. We can discuss such things soon. But let's continue on with the memory. A lot of things are explained. The surprises aren't over yet. And I'm sure more of your questions will be answered."
Xenophilius tapped the Pensieve, and figures near the door began to move again.
"Any friend of James and Lily's are friends of the Lovegoods," Xenophilius said, shaking Dan's hand, "You have an adorable daughter."
"You'll have to excuse her," Lily said, "Hermione's a little scared at the moment. She just experienced her first bout of Apparation. Especially hard on toddlers, worse their first time."
"Oh, nothing a little milk can't cure!" Pandora said, as she returned to the room, carrying a small baby in her arms.
"There's my beautiful goddaughter!" Lily said.
Harry's eyes widened as he watched his mother walk over to Pandora and coo over Luna. Lily was Luna's Godmother?
"And her equally beautiful mother," Lily said, hugging Pandora.
"Hawwy!" little Hermione said from her place against her mother.
Lily giggled. "I think Hermione feels better now. Pandora, you don't happen to have a play-pen that Harry and Hermione can play in? Harry's been crawling all over the place, and he is squirming in his carriage right now. He wants out. I think he wants to play with Hermione."
The young Xenophilius whipped out his wand and twirled it in a complicated pattern. A large play-pen appeared in the center of the floor.
As his mother set the carriage on the ground, Harry and everyone got their first look at little Harry in the memory as Lily picked him up.
"Oh, you were so cute!" Hermione said, giggling.
"I had all but forgotten how cute your godson was when he was a baby," Tonks said to Sirius.
"That's my little pup," Sirius said.
Harry smiled, his cheeks warming up, as he watched his mother place him in the play-pen on the ground.
Emma walked over and placed little Hermione in the play-pen and she toddled straight over to Harry. The adults, Pandora with her infant daughter, sat down on the various couches and chairs. They watched the sweet little scene of the young children playing.
"Look at them," Pandora said, "She absolutely adores him."
"She does," Emma said, "Can hardly split them apart when they're together. She misses him when they're apart."
"When did you guys meet?" Pandora asked.
"Oh, now that is a long story," James said, "Wasn't exactly a happy meeting at first."
"We didn't exactly have the best introduction of wizards, James," Dan said.
"True," James conceded. "How about you start with the story, and I'll join in soon?"
Dan wrapped an arm around Emma as they nestled in on the couch they were sitting on.
"It was in early April of this year," Dan began, "Ever since Hermione was born, Emma and I had been trading weeks or months at the Dentistry we own in Crawley. It was my week to work. I was just getting home. I stepped out of our car, and all of a sudden, I hear Emma screaming. As I hurried into the house, I heard a great commotion in the sitting room, and I heard a male voice yelling words – James later informs me they were incantations. Curses. When I arrive, Emma is hiding behind our sofa. The man is pointing a wooden stick at her – I later discover it is a wand. His back was turned to me. So I reached into my pocket for my handy pocket-knife, flipped it open and threw it at him. I hit my target, as I usually do, which just so happened to be deep in his back. That was my favorite pocket-knife. Tough loss. Then... he's gone. Vanished into thin air right in front of me."
"Automatic Portkey," James explained. "The attacker was dying, but he was still able to escape because of that charm."
"I went to Emma," Dan said, looking at his wife, "She's shaking and shivering. But she is coherent. Wants to know where Hermione is. I... I left her in the room and hurried to Hermione's nursery. She was standing in her crib, afraid, and crying. And I couldn't help but notice... her stuffed animals are floating in mid-air all over the place. Then... I hear Emma screaming. I hurry back downstairs and there are two more people, each with wooden sticks. It is James here, and his friend Sirius Black."
Harry glanced at Sirius, whose eyes had gone wide as saucers.
"I suppose I should cut in," James said, "As you know, Xenophilius, Pandora... Sirius and I – we're Aurors. We were on duty that day. We were in the office when we get a memo that someone used an Unforgivable Curse. There is a Taboo on them. Bagnold placed it. The memo, as they usually do, turned into a Portkey, and took us straight to the location: the Granger House. We hurry into the house, and find Emma in the sitting room and the room in shambles. She's showing obvious signs of minor Cruciatus exposure and repeating 'Hermione' over and over. Then she sees us and screams. Now, at first, we thought this was explicitly a Muggle house, so Sirius and I – we're in a bind. What do we do? How do we even begin to explain who were are? We didn't look like Muggle authorities!"
"For professionals, you were very... unprofessional," Lily said, giggling.
James smiled. "Sirius tells me we're not alone and we see Dan coming down the stairs. I realize this is the woman's husband, and I ask him about a 'Hermione'. He demands that I tell him who we are. We try to say we are authorities of some kind. Dan doesn't believe us at first. Said someone with a 'stick' like ours attacked his wife. That he buried a knife in the guy's back and the guy disappeared. I figure this couple is going to be Obliviated anyway in an hour or so, so I say... that person disappeared because of magic. I thought Dan here would yell at me. Instead he says..."
"Magic?" Dan said, "Is that what my daughter is doing in her room? Because if not, then I am going insane."
James, Lily, Emma, Pandora and Xenophilius laughed.
"Sirius and I – we're looking at each other and we're like... this changes everything!" James said, grinning, "Sirius offers to help Emma, while Dan takes me up to Hermione's nursery. Sure enough, her stuffed animals are levitating. Hermione was very emotional so it wasn't surprising. I've seen it before with Harry, of course. Magic showing even at their age when they are emotional. I realize... this is a Muggle family with a Muggleborn daughter. Sirius and I go into Auror mode, taking down information about this attacker. Then I do my best to basically come up with the 'magic is real, but don't tell anyone.' explanation. I invite Dan and Emma to dinner with me and my wife. I tell them my wife is in Hermione's position. A Muggleborn. I figured Lily could explain it better than me."
"Left me with the hard work," Lily said, rolling her eyes.
"Dan and I didn't get out much," Emma said. "When James told me he had a son, I thought it'd be nice if for Hermione to have a new friend, even if Harry was not even a year old. So we invite the Potters to our house and we had dinner and they discussed everything and our children got to meet. All I know is Hermione and Harry must have gotten on as well as their parents did, because Hermione – who was just learning to speak – found a favorite word. She said 'Hawwy' before she said 'Ma' or 'Da'."
Harry looked at Hermione who blushed red. Tonks snickered nearby.
"A couple days after the attack," James said, "the criminal was found. We discovered he was a low-level Death Eater. A rookie just out of Hogwarts. We went to school with him, he was a few years under us. Saw him get Sorted. Probably jeered him when he was sorted into Slytherin."
James sighed and shook his head.
"I'd say he was a recruit and attacking Emma was his initiation." he continued, "Death Eaters are known to do that. He was found in an alley in London, dead with a knife buried in his back. This left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Dan and Emma could be targets, especially if it was discovered their daughter is Muggleborn. Voldemort and his Death Eaters are targeting Muggleborn. So, Sirius and I put protective enchantments around the Granger residence. However, while it isn't illegal, per say, Sirius and I could get in trouble for it, simply because we have no familial or close connection to the Grangers other than friendship. For weeks I was trying to figure out how to get around that. A loophole if you will. Then I realized. It would be completely legal if the Grangers did have close connections to us. Which is why they're here with us today."
"I see," Pandora said, "You want to place Harry and Hermione in a Betrothal Contract, just as you do with Luna."
Hermione gasped. Harry's eyes widened as he looked at his parents. Was that his parents' plan?
"Since Hermione is Muggleborn," James said, "Betrothing her to Harry, making her his intended, would make her a future member of the House of Potter. This would put Hermione and her parents under the protection of the House of Potter, making it legal to protect them and their home with magic, even though they are Muggles."
"The problem is," Lily said, "Betrothals have not been used, outside of very special occasions, in the Muggle world for a long time. So Dan and Emma are a little wary. We thought letting them come with us today would help them see it is perfectly normal."
"Yes, but I am to understand that Harry will already be in a Contract with Luna?" Emma said, "If he's already Contracted -"
James smiled. "I suppose we have been a little lax in details. Polygamy is legal in the wizarding world. I could have had an additional wife with Lily, because I was Betrothed myself. But my Betrothed was murdered in an attack on Diagon Alley the summer after we left Hogwarts."
James' lips quivered and Lily comforted him. It was obviously still a rough topic for him.
"Luna will not be Harry's only Betrothed," Lily said, "We've told you about Sirius' fiancee – and Betrothed – Amelia Bones. Her brother and his wife is very close to agreeing to Betroth their daughter, Susan, to Harry."
"And Castor Greengrass is also getting desperate," James said, "Lucius Malfoy wants to Betroth his son to Castor's daughter, Daphne, and Castor is trying to find a way out of it. I am going to write a letter to him soon."
"That would be three wives," Emma said, "Four if Hermione...?"
"Yes," James said, "Xenophilius here, the Bones, and Greengrass families, they're all a part of a political alliance my father founded, and I'm now the leader of. So while Betrothing Harry to Hermione would be mostly for your family's protection, their goal is to ensure political integrity in future generations. Technically, these contracts are Betrothals to the Potter House. For example, if Lily and I have more children, Harry could opt to give one or more contracts to any brothers, if he doesn't get along with any of the girls."
"But we're planning to raise the children together," Lily said, "So they can grow up as friends then eventually more."
The memory suddenly paused.
"Unfortunately, the memory ends there," Xenophilius said, "They only last for so long. This Pensieve is old and the runes often need recharging after a viewing. I thought we'd at least see the Betrothal meeting. Ah, well. Anyway, James, Lily, Pandora and I proceeded to pen our Contract for Harry and Luna, which we will discuss over dinner."
"Did Emma and I make a decision that evening?" Dan asked, "About... betrothing my daughter to Harry?"
"No," Xenophilius said, shaking his head, "I remember that you had wanted to think on it more. James and Lily never told us whether such a contract had been penned."
"Well, there's only one thing to do," Sirius said, "We need to heal your memories, Dan, Emma. And mine as well."
"Sirius?" Harry asked.
"Obviously my memories were modified, Harry," Sirius said, "You heard your father. I was there after Dan and Emma had been attacked. It is why I was so familiar with their house, that neighborhood. I knew Dan and Emma back then. Apparently Amelia – oh, no. Amy!"
"You think Amelia had her memories modified?" Tonks asked.
"I don't know," Sirius said, "Dan and Emma might have never met her, only heard of her."
"Who took our memories away?" Dan asked.
"The same person who wanted to keep Hermione away from me," Harry said, "Albus Dumbledore. I'm sure of it. This explains why you were his target from the start, Hermione. Whether or not we're Betrothed, he knew our families knew each other, that we knew each other for a few months when we were little. Somehow he knows, and somehow he discovered all this. He disapproved. He didn't want me – the Boy-Who-Lived – to have a Muggleborn as my intended."
"If we're Betrothed," Hermione said.
"I have a feeling we agreed in the end, sweetheart," Emma said, "Your father would have wanted to protect us. Magical protective enchantments – being protected by powerful magic like that of House Potter – well, that would be something we'd want to be a part of if we were in danger."
"Well, if so, then those protections ended long ago," Sirius said, "I'd have recognized them."
"I think my Signet ring would have recognized them too," Harry said, glancing at his family ring.
"Right," Sirius said, I'll contact Amelia as soon as we leave here. She has a Healer friend in St. Mungo's. She could discreetly get the correct potions to heal your memories. You're Muggles... the Ministry may disapprove of memory retrieval. But they don't need to know, and it doesn't matter anyway. This is too important. I trust Amelia with my life. She wouldn't tell them about it."
At that moment, the memory faded, and everyone from the memory disappeared. It left everyone still there feeling very alone.
"Dinner's ready," Xenophilius said, "Luna, dear, is the table set?"
"Yes, Daddy," Luna said.
"Show everyone to the dining room, my love," Xenophilius said, "Dinner will be served shortly."
Everyone was quiet as they followed Luna through the house and into the dining room, which took up a quarter of the bottom floor – the kitchen took up the other quarter. Their minds were on what they had just witnessed. Harry's mind was on his parents.
His parents seemed so real. Like he could reach out and touch them. He had watched them during their conversation. When his parents weren't talking, they had been watching little him and Hermione playing in the play-pen. He could see the love they had for him. And for each other. The way they were so close to each other on the couch, holding each other. He would never doubt their love for each other again. He hoped he could replicate his parents' love with Hermione and his future wives.
That brought another thought to his mind. He could be Betrothed to Hermione. Sure, he knew marriage between then was quite likely in the future, but the fact they might have been intended all this time was something to think about! Damn Dumbledore's interference. He could have grown up knowing the Grangers.
"Why weren't Dan and Emma in my parents' Will?" Harry thought out loud, as he sat at the table next to Hermione – a seat had been left open on his other side, likely for Luna who had made her way to the kitchen after showing the guests to the dining room.
"What's that, Harry?" Sirius asked.
"Why weren't Dan and Emma listed as Guardians in my parents' Will?" Harry asked.
"It is possible they were considered," Sirius said, "But that would have made them targets if it was discovered."
"I bet that is how Dumbledore found you, Daddy, Mum," Hermione said, "He was the witness for James and Lily's Will. They must have discussed it in his presence, adding you to their Will as guardians."
"Perhaps he persuaded them not to," Sirius said, "Simply because you're Muggles."
"So if Dumbledore modified our memories," Dan said, "When did it happen?"
"Likely between James and Lily's deaths and the time Xenophilius met you at your dentistry," Sirius said, "Was your dentistry listed?"
"Yes," Dan said.
"Then that is how he found you," Sirius said. "Damn it. I know how he got me. I was in the Ministry cells after my arrest for hours. He could have modified my memory then."
"Why did he only modify your memories of the Grangers?" Tonks asked. "He could have done so much more damage."
"Well," Sirius said, "He must have known anything that was wiped from my memory existing about my time in the wizarding world, I could have easily discovered otherwise. He simply wanted knowledge of the Grangers wiped."
"So why didn't he do a total Obliviation of you and my parents?" Hermione asked.
"Too dangerous, too risky," Sirius said, "He must have known you were a Muggleborn. He was likely afraid Obliviation would be discovered easier than memory modification. Besides, with memory modification, he could dissect specific memories. Make us forget and remember specific things. Dan and Emma certainly would find it strange if they had large parts of their memory gone. He simply replaced it. Obliviation wouldn't do that."
"I can understand that," Hermione said.
Xenophilius and Luna came in, carrying pots and pans, while others were floating behind them. Soon, all the various food was set on the table, and Xenophilius and Luna had taken their seats – Luna, on Harry's left side.
"So what made you and your wife agree to Betroth Harry to your daughter in the first place?" Emma asked Xenophilius as dinner began.
"Do you recall in the memory when James discussed the Greengrasses?" Xenophilius asked.
"They were involved with someone named... Malfoy?" Dan asked.
"Yes," Xenophilius said, "I can see why Lord Greengrass was quite worried back then. He would not want his daughter Betrothed to someone like the son of Lucius Malfoy."
"He didn't approve?" Emma asked.
"Oh, I'm sure that was an issue," Sirius cut in, "But likely it wasn't the main issue. James referenced the issue a bit. For example, Betrothing Hermione to Harry would make you affiliated with House Potter. That is a good thing. House Potter is one of the greatest families in British wizarding society. Then there is the opposite end of the beanpole. The Malfoys and anyone affiliated with them. The wrong sort, if you will. If you're Betrothed to someone in a House, you're automatically affiliated to that House and their reputation. Sure, in pureblood society, Malfoy is a respectable name. But believe me, that doesn't make them good. Far from it."
"A name like Malfoy, how could it?" Emma asked, "The name literally translates to 'bad faith'."
"So, to answer your original question, Emma," Xenophilius said, "Pandora and I were afraid we'd get offers of the wrong sort for my daughter. When James Potter made the offer, I immediately accepted. One, because my House, even though it is Minor, is a part of an Alliance with the Potters. Second because the Potters are friends. The Lovegoods and Potters go way back. I couldn't pass it up. Besides, I knew there wasn't anyone better for my daughter than Harry. The son of James and Lily Potter, two wonderful people. I knew Harry would be just like them. And I was right."
Harry smiled. He was quite surprised with Xenophilius. The man actually sounded so unlike himself, or unlike how Harry had known the man. He was quite different than how Harry had known him before.
"The fact that the Potters are a part of the same bloodline as heroes of yours wasn't too bad either," Harry said.
Xenophilius smiled. "You are correct, Lord Potter. I was well aware that the Potters are related to the legendary Peverell family. The thought that my grandchildren would be of the same bloodline was not something I would easily pass up."
Harry smiled. That was the Xenophilius he knew.
"So," he said, "exactly what did you and my parents agree to when you penned the contract?"
Sirius laughed. "Kid, you're making me feel useless. You know exactly how to get into the business part of the discussion without my help."
"Hermione helped me with the proper terms and discussion back when we met with Amelia about Susan," Harry said. "But I'm sure you could help if I am confused about anything, or if I need help to make some decisions. You've done this before with Amelia, of course."
"Indeed," Sirius said.
Harry smiled and looked back at Xenophilius. Xenophilius wiped his mouth with his napkin and cleared his throat.
"Well, I suppose I should mention that such a meeting like this was not expected until you turned seventeen," he said, "James had a clear picture in his head. Final arrangements would be made on or around your seventeenth birthday. Though you and my daughter are a year a part at Hogwarts, the contract would be finalized, and you would officially be engaged even as students. Usually, a wedding wouldn't take place until the summer after Luna finished Hogwarts. However, since you are Betrothed to two, possibly three, other girls as well – some things could change. If you were to say... have a joint wedding where you marry all your brides on the same day, then I'd be open to Luna being a part of it, even if she was still a student. Married students are not strangers at Hogwarts. There are married Quarters."
"The Lord and Lady Quarters," Harry said, "Funny enough, I'm already living there while at Hogwarts. I have already thought about inviting my Betrothed to join me, mostly for their protection and so we can get to know each other."
Xenophilius smiled. "I think I would be agreeable to that. Lord Potter, do you know what a Line Continuance Option is?"
"Yes," Harry said, "It assures that if a witch is the last of her name, her House and Name would live on through marriage, and through her children."
"Exactly, Lord Potter, exactly!" Xenophilius said, "It was originally agreed upon that Luna would keep her name and take yours as she would also be a part of your House. Her – your children with her would have the Lovegood name, and yours as well, but Lovegood first and foremost. And if the Lovegood house were to ascend, you would be Regent Lord until my death, and Lord afterward until any Lovegood sons of yours reached majority. Luna, as Lovegood blood, would represent the Lovegood House politically as Lady in my stead."
Harry glanced at Sirius, and he made a thumbs-up motion.
"I can agree to all of that," Harry said.
"Excellent!" Xenophilius said. "Let's see. Line Continuance, check. Marriage, not until husband-to-be is seventeen. Children! I assume you want children."
"A Quidditch team full of them at least," Harry said, chuckling.
Most of those seated around the table were smiling or grinning.
"I think with how many wives you'll have, that is more than likely, kid," Sirius said.
"The common agreement," Xenophilius said, "is at least one child before the bride-to-be in question, Luna, is twenty-one. However, Line Continuance usually requires a son. So... if you have a son with her, that would satisfy the contract in my opinion."
"I guess I can agree to that," Harry said.
Xenophilius smiled. "I can understand how some of this can be awkward for you at the moment. Truly, you have nothing to worry about until you turn seventeen. Officially, Luna is your Betrothed. Unofficially, I'd be happy to see you as friends or best friends until the day she walks down the aisle. If it evolves into more before that wonderful event, then excellent. You're teenagers, Lord Potter. It is time to be teenagers. Leave the other stuff until you're of age."
"Thank you, sir," Harry said. "Is there anything I must sign?"
"Yes, and that can be done after dinner," Xenophilius said, "Now that business is done, other conversation can be had."
"Your wife – Luna's mother – was a beautiful woman," Emma said, "I am so sorry she is no longer with us. I will be happy to have those memories back, if only so I could remember."
"Yes," Xenophilius said, "Pandora was a beautiful soul. She was one of Lily's best friends since Hogwarts, along with Alice Longbottom and Amelia Bones."
"And a few other girls," Sirius said, "The Marauders were a force to be reckoned with, but that group of witches – well, we were just lucky they hadn't formed a coven or we would have been outmatched."
"When Lily was pregnant with Harry, she was having trouble deciding which of her best friends should be godmother," Xenophilius continued. "Be it Pandora, Amelia or Alice. By ironic coincidence, she picked the one not related to one of her son's future Betrothed. She picked Alice. But Pandora, along with Amelia, were considered unofficial godmothers. But Pandora had no qualms about who would be Luna's godmother. She immediately picked Lily."
"When Pandora and I met, she was fifteen, and I was out of Hogwarts already," Xenophilius said, "We had met at Loch Ness in Scotland. Oh, we might have seen each other whilst at Hogwarts, of course, but we truly met at Loch Ness. She was sitting at the edge of a dock, staring out at the Loch, and I approached her. Bravest thing I've ever done. I asked her, what was a beautiful young lady doing alone out there? She replied... 'I am waiting for Nessie, you see. We're good friends.' And my reply was 'Oh... she never talks about you. I might have to scold her for that!'"
"And that is how Mummy and Daddy fell in love," Luna said, grinning.
"Nessie?" Dan asked, "The mythological sea serpent?"
"Oh, she isn't a myth," Luna said, "She is very real. She just rarely lets Muggles see her. Mummy and Daddy introduced her to me many years ago."
Dan looked surprised, and Emma looked amused, as if she had always known. Dinner went on, as did the conversation. Xenophilius and Luna talked more about their family, as well as their magazine, discussing ideas for future articles. Xenophilius, Sirius and even Tonks entertained with stories of James and Lily.
It was past eight-o-clock in the evening when Harry, Hermione and others decided it was time to leave. Harry, Xenophilius, Luna, and even Sirius – as godfather, even though Harry was Emancipated – signed the Betrothal Contract so that it was official. Harry and Luna were officially Betrothed. After promises that Harry and Hermione would write to Luna soon, everyone said their farewells. Sirius took Dan and Emma's hands, while Tonks took Harry and Hermione's, and they Apparated back to the Granger House.
"I'm going to write a letter to Amelia," Sirius said, "Are you available tomorrow?"
"We'll be here," Dan said, nodding.
"I'll see if Amelia can get those memory retrieval cures and she and I can bring them by sometime tomorrow," Sirius said, "We can restore your memories and answer some questions we all must have."
"Thank you, Sirius," Dan said, "It seems as if you've been a lot of help to my family over the years."
"You're good people," Sirius said, "The type of family I would have loved to grow up in. James and Lily picked some good people to be friends with, but I'm not in the least surprised." He turned to Harry. "Kid, you impressed me tonight, doing your part with the Betrothal. Are you sure you need me on Wednesday?"
The previous evening, Harry had written to the Greengrasses, and said he would be available every evening the following week, except Sunday. A letter returned from Lord Greengrass earlier that day inviting him, Hermione, Tonks and Sirius – obviously, Daphne had a part in inviting Hermione and Tonks – Wednesday evening to the Greengrass Manor for dinner."
"If only to satisfy Lord Greengrass who wants an adult on both sides," Harry said.
"Alright," Sirius said, "Maybe this time I'll convince Remus to come. Well, I better go. Remus will want to hear about this and I have to contact Amelia. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Alright," Harry said.
He embraced Sirius, who hugged him back. After hugging Tonks and shaking Dan's hand, he then left the house.
"Daddy, Mum," Hermione said, when Sirius left, "Would you be okay with it? If it turned out that Harry and I were Betrothed?"
"It might take some time to get used to," Dan said, "But I say that now. Who knows what will happen after our memories are restored. I could be a whole new person."
"Dan," Emma said, frowning, "I know what you're thinking."
"I never killed a person in my army days," Dan said, "and now it appears, I am responsible for taking a young man's life. Barely older than either of you. Younger than Tonks."
"You were defending Mum," Hermione said.
"I am well aware," Dan said, "And I would do it again. But to learn I am capable of something like that. It changes a person, sweetheart."
Dan sighed and turned and walked over to the door that led into the basement.
"I always wondered what happened to that pocket-knife," he said, "Now I know."
Then he made his way through the door and into the basement, and shut the door behind him.
"Oh, Daddy," Hermione said, frowning.
"He'll be alright, sweetheart," Emma said, "He just needs some time to himself. I better put on some coffee. He'll need it. All the alcohol is downstairs. Your father doesn't drink too much, but... well..."
She sighed and made her way toward the kitchen. Before Harry knew it, Hermione had engulfed him in a hug. He thought he could hear her whimpering against him. Then he could hear her crying softly.
"I'll just leave you two alone," Tonks said, then made her way into the sitting room.
Harry stood there, holding Hermione, as she cried against him. After a minute, she gave one last sniffle, then backed away. She looked at him and smiled.
"I love you, Hawwy," she said, with a grin.
Harry laughed. "Please don't let that become a nickname. I love you too, by the way."
Hermione smiled and kissed him deeply. There they remained for a while, hoping her parents didn't return soon.