===June 9 1992===
Ted leads Harry and Hermione into his office. He sits behind his desk. "Please sit, we have a lot to talk about."
Harry pulls a chair close to the desk. "Ladies first."
"Why thank you," Hermione says as she sits. Harry takes a seat beside her.
"First bit of business, would you two mind if I held on to your lineage stones?" Ted asks.
"How can we make it so you can touch them?" Harry asks as he pulls his stone from his robes, the stone glows softly for a second as he does.
"I believe you just did." Ted says. "Much like most spells it's the intent behind them as much as the words."
"That makes sense." Harry says as he places the stone on the desk. Hermione pulls her stone out and it glows for a second before she places it on the desk.
Ted gets up and walks over to a wall, he moves a painting revealing a muggle wall safe.
"Why do you have a muggle safe?" Hermione asks as Ted opens the safe. "I thought that most wizards despised muggle items."
"I'm a muggleborn." Ted answers. "I had the safe enchanted so only very few people could open it. I'll add you two to the list just in case." Ted pulls out his wand and mumbles something before putting his wand up. He fully opens the safe, showing that there's currently nothing in it. He nervously looks at the stones before grabbing them. The obvious relief immediately shows on his face as he places them in the safe, locking it when he's done. "I highly doubt the safe is necessary, but it's better to be safe than sorry." He says as he comes back to the desk and sits back down. "Now to the matter at hand."
"The marriage contract, can Dumbledore still contest it?" Hermione asks.
"He can," Ted says. "Not sure where that will go, but if you two want you can enter into a new marriage contract."
"How?"
"Easy, as an Heir to one of the four founders you're partially emancipated." Ted explains. "I will need to register your muggle addresses as official heir households as you can perform magic at will in your own homes."
"We can perform magic outside of school?" Hermione asks excitedly.
"Just in your homes."
"Harry will be staying at my house, since the blood wards are attached to me." Hermione then rattles off the address. "I can't wait to show my parents what I have learned." She gasps. "What about my muggle father?"
"He'll be listed as a muggle living in a magical house. So it's okay to perform magic around him." Ted explains. "You'll become your own magical guardians, and with a marriage contract you could marry once both of you are 14."
Hermione nods. "Can you make it the same as the one we already have? So that we have a year and a day to decide if we want to get married?"
"I didn't see that stipulation stated on there." Ted says.
Hermione pulls out her marriage contract. "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good!" Writing appears on the back of the contract and she hands it to Ted.
Ted reads the back of the contract.
If some reason Harry and Hermione decide that they do not want to be married to each other within a year and a day of this contract being acknowledged they can end the contract by the both of them tapping their respective contact and saying "Nullify!". This must be done of their own free will. Anyone attempting to force them to do so will face dire consequences.
Ted hands the contract back. "Unfortunately if you two enter a contract yourselves it doesn't work that way. Since you're entering of your own free will."
"I suppose that makes sense." Hermione says as she takes the contract back. "Mischief managed!" The writing on the back vanishes and she puts the contract back in her robes.
"Is there anything else we need to know about being magical heirs?" Harry asks.
"Since you're the heirs of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw you could take your seats on the board of governors that oversees Hogwarts." Ted answers.
"What exactly does that entail?" Harry asks.
"For the most part everything is decided by mail, but you may occasionally have to go to physical meetings with the other governors. There's a total of four governors, one for each house. Any ties are decided by the headmaster or deputy headmaster depending on the situation." Ted explains.
"Will Dumbledore be notified if we take the seats?" Harry asks.
"Yes." Ted says. "The ministry will be notified that you have taken up your heir status and will tell him that he's responsible for your safety since he's the headmaster."
"I say we do it. It might be enough to make him back off." Harry says.
Hermione nods. "I agree."
"Before you agree there is one more thing I should mention." Ted says. "It'll affect Hermione a lot more than it will you Harry."
"What is it?" Hermione asks.
"Magic doesn't like knowing that a strong magical line can end at any second." Ted says. "It will seek ways to ensure the line's survival."
Hermione sighs. "Somehow I'm not surprised."
"I don't understand." Harry says.
"Once I magically declare it, I'll be the last in the Ravenclaw line until I have a daughter." Hermione explains. "Magic is going to want it to happen."
"So even with spells and potions you'll get pregnant, right?" Harry asks.
Hermione nods. "Pretty much."
"Then we call this off." Harry says. "Even if we don't have sex until after we're married that still puts you being pregnant while in school. You love learning too much for me to ask you to do that."
Hermione grabs his hand and squeezes it. "That's sweet of you Harry, and while the situation is less than ideal I'm okay with it. I read that with meditation some people can commune with their magic. Maybe I can do that, and get it to wait. If not, we'll deal with it."
Harry nods. "Are you sure?"
"As sure as I can be."
"Then I'll be by your side the whole time when it does happen."
Hermione looks at Ted. "Let's do it!"
"Very well." Ted says he pulls out a piece of parchment. "Pull out your wand, Miss Granger." Hermione pulls out her wand. Ted puts the parchment in front of her. "Read it aloud."
"I, Hermione Jean Granger hereby take my place as heir of the Ravenclaw line!" Hermione proclaims. She glows for a minute from magic. "I don't feel any different."
"Give it time." Ted says. "Harry, your turn."
Harry pulls out his wand. "I, Harry James Potter hereby take my place as heir of the Gryffindor line!" Just like Hermione he glows for a minute.
"Now that is done."
"Good." Harry says. "Am I missing anything?"
"What happens if Dumbledore manages to get them to negate the contract?" Hermione asks.
"Well, Harry will have to spend some time at his relatives house because of the blood wards." Ted explains. "The contract is the only thing letting you tie them to you, Hermione."
"Harry is not setting foot in that house!" Hermione insists angrily. "Draw up a formal marriage contract we can enter incase Dumbledore wins."
"Hermione, we don't have to do that." Harry says.
"This is a precaution, we can discuss signing the contract if we actually need to do so." Hermione says. "I'd rather be prepared for it."
"I'm just worried that if you force yourself into this you'll end up hating me."
Hermione nods and takes Harry's hands. "I'm willing to do this, Harry. You saved my life at the risk of your own. You fought a troll for crying out loud!"
"Okay, okay." Harry says. "You win."
"I'll write it up, and I'll look into options. I might have missed something." Ted says.
Harry nods. "That seems reasonable."
"So no objections to marrying me?"
Harry blushes heavily. "Not at all."
"Really?"
"I did kiss you."
Hermione's eyes widen. "That wasn't accidental?"
"I was about to go face someone who wanted me dead." Harry says. "A beautiful girl was going to kiss my cheek. I saw the opportunity to kiss this beautiful girl before I died. So I gathered up my Gryffindor courage and kissed you."
Hermione blushes heavily. "You thought I was beautiful before the contract?"
"I thought it from the moment you fixed my glasses." Harry says. "I wasn't sure if I could tell you and not lose your friendship.
"I had no idea."
"Now you do."
"I'll remember that, so now what?"
Harry takes her hand. "We take it one day at a time?"
Hermione nods. "One day at a time."
"I think that covers it for now." Ted says. "I'll send you an owl if I have questions. Otherwise I'll see you in Gringotts Monday."
"Until then." Harry says as he shakes his hand. Hermione does the same and they floo back to school.
#####
Harry and Hermione walk into the common room and quickly separate. Harry goes upstairs while Hermione sits on the couch. Ron stops playing chess against Dean as he watches his two friends wondering what is going on.
Shortly thereafter Harry comes down and hands his invisibility cloak to Hermoine who takes it and goes up to the girls dorm. Harry walks over to Ron and Dean. "Ron, can you come upstairs please?"
"I'm just going to forfeit." Dean says as he gets up and walks away.
"Is everything okay?" Ron asks.
"I'll explain upstairs." Harry says. "I need to get Neville, too." Ron just nods knowing better than to ask any more questions.
Harry goes over to Neville, finding him reading a Herbology book. "Neville, can you come up to the dorm please? I have something to discuss privately."
"Only if you promise to get Hermione to apologize for petrifying me." Neville responds.
Harry feels a pull on his robes and looks, not seeing anything he knows Hermione is under his cloak. "I promise."
Neville nods as he closes his book and heads upstairs. Harry follows behind him, Hermione invisible behind him. Once inside their dorm Harry waits until he feels Hermione enter before shutting the door and locking it.
Hermione removes the cloak and casts a privacy ward. "First off, I want to apologize to Neville. I did what I thought I needed to do at the time."
"Thank you." Neville says.
"Now, we have some things we need to tell you both." Harry says.
"What we are about to tell has to be kept an absolute secret, do you understand?" Hermione asks.
"I'll do my best." Ron says.
"Me too." Neville says.
"Tomorrow's edition of The Daily Prophet will announce that the heirs of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw have at long last come forward." Harry says. "We are telling you this because we are those heirs."
"Blimey." Ron says. "That's wicked."
"I don't get why you're telling me this." Neville says.
"I'm telling you this because though I'm the heir of Gryffindor I'm not the last in the line." Harry says. "We're cousins on my father's side Neville, that makes you the current last in line of Gryffindor."
"Gram had said that the Potters were important, but she never said we were related." Neville says.
"It may be hard for her since my grandfather would have been her brother. " Harry says.
"That makes sense."
"Look, I know I haven't been the best of friends to you Neville, but I would like to try again, especially since you're family." Harry says.
"So can I join your little golden trio?"
"It's more like the golden couple plus one right now." Ron says. "But I'd be alright with you hanging with us."
"Me too." Hermione says.
Harry nods. "Yes, please do. Right now let's get to know each other better."
===June 10 1992===
Albus Dumbledore is sitting at the head table sipping his morning tea when his copy of The Daily Prophet arrives. The headline makes him stop.
The heirs of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Found at Last!
Curious, he opens the paper.
We here at The Prophet are pleased to report that we have received magical correspondence confirming that the long lost heirs of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw have been found and have taken up their roles as heirs. We unfortunately do not have the names of the heirs at this time.
We did get a chance to talk to Edward "Ted" Tonks, lawyer for the heirs.
"The heirs ask that we respect their privacy as they get used to their new roles." Mister Tonks tells us. "In the meantime any questions can go through me."
"Mr Tonks, are the heirs planning on making any changes at Hogwarts?"
"Not right away." Mister Tonks answers. "They want to get a feel for how Hogwarts is currently operating before committing to any changes."
Albus skims the rest of the article not seeing anything important. He puts the paper down when an owl drops off a letter to him. He opens the letter.
Dear Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore,
This letter is to inform you that two of your current students are the newfound heirs of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. I feel as headmaster of the school, you should be aware that Harry Potter and Hermione Granger are those heirs. I ask that you respect their wish to remain anonymous at this time.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Edward "Ted" Tonks, lawyer for Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.
Sincerely,
Edward "Ted" Tonks
Albus puts the letter down as he realizes his plans for young Mister Potter are quickly falling apart. He starts laughing once he realizes he wouldn't want it any other way.
#####
Harry and Hermione are sitting at lunch. They've spent the day trying not to laugh as everyone in the castle is trying to figure out who the mysterious heirs of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw are. Everyone except of course them, Ron and Neville.
"Aren't you two the least bit curious?" Ron asks, reciting the script they had written last night to throw the other students off.
"Ron has a point." Neville says from his place at Ron's side. "It's been centuries since an heir has been declared."
"And they're not going to do anything to Hogwarts according to The Prophet." Hermione says. "So why worry until it affects us?"
"It's not like knowing who they are would help us any," Harry says.
"I guess you do have a point," Ron says as an owl comes and drops a letter in front of both Harry and Hermoine. "You two have been getting a lot of mail recently."
"Most of it has been regarding that one last week." Hermione says as she and Harry both open their letters.
Ron nods. "I almost forgot about that."
Neville chuckles as they had just been told, or in Ron's case retold about the marriage contract last night.
Harry smiles as he reads his letter.
Harry James Potter, this is to inform you that your marriage contract with Hermione Jean Granger is no longer being contested. A copy of this is being sent to your legal counsel. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Signed,
Blunttooth, Gringott's Legal Department
"That worked out perfectly." Harry says as he puts the letter up.
"I know." Hermione says.
That's when they see McGonagall walk towards them. "And here's the catch." Harry says.
McGonagall sees them look at her and motions for them to follow. "See you two later." Harry says as he and Hermione get up and follow McGonagall to her office. Inside they are surprised to find both Ted and Dumbledore.
"What exactly is going on here?" Hermione asks.
"Headmaster Dumbledore has decided he did not want to contest your marriage contract." Ted informs him. "He instead wants to talk with you two. Hence the audience."
Harry and Hermione nod as they take sets. "We're listening."
"I wanted to beg you two to reconsider." Dumbledore says. "As the heirs you don't need a marriage contract. Nobody could stop you two from dating and getting married at 17."
"We are aware of that, sir." Hermione says. "But the contract offers a unique benefit that outweighs everything else."
"What could that possibly be?" Dumbledore asks.
"I don't have to go back to my uncle's house." Harry says.
"Harry, you've been misled. The reason you're at your uncle's house isn't because he was the only person that could take you in." Dumbledore says.
"It's because of the blood wards his mother put up." Hermione says. "When she died they transferred to her sister. Right?"
Dumbledore looks shocked. "How could you possibly know that?"
"Lily Potter wrote me a letter that accompanied my marriage contract." Hermione says. "It detailed how to move the blood wards to myself since I'm his betrothed. I've already taken the liberty of transferring the wards. Only my death or dissolution of the marriage contract can move them back."
"Miss Granger, surely you're not going to marry Harry at 14." Dumbledore says. "You must know that as an Heir there's little doubt that you'll get pregnant quickly."
"It's a risk I'm willing to take." Hermione says. "I won't send him back to his horrible relatives."
"Surely they aren't THAT bad." Dumbledore says.
The room gets eerily quiet as they all look at Harry. Harry is hit with a flurry of emotions. "Not THAT bad?" He starts laughing hysterically. "Not THAT bad?" he sneers. "Where should I start?! I spent most of my life sleeping in a cupboard under the stairs." Tears stream down his face as he speaks. "Countless days cooking, cleaning, doing yard work, anything that needed done. Every little mistake I made was met by being hit sometimes by a hand or fist, most of the time by something worse, and of course I was constantly denied food. So you tell me Headmaster, how bad does that sound to you?" He breaks down sobbing on the floor.
Hermione kneels beside him and places her hand on his back. He immediately buries his face in her shoulder. "I hope that answers your questions," she says, her voice breaking with anger.
'I can't believe they would do that.' Dumbledore thinks as he watches Hermione comfort Harry. 'They doted on their own son so much. I thought that they would love Harry. I can't believe I was so wrong.' He lets out a deep sigh. "I'm sorry. I failed you."
Harry looks up. "What?"
"I had been watching your uncle's house for some time. I knew there was a chance you would end up there. I swear I saw them with Dudley and thought that there was no way they would mistreat you. So that Halloween when I brought you to them. They took you in with one stipulation, that we leave you alone. I honestly thought they just wanted to raise you quietly. "
"So you had no idea?" Harry asks. "What about the teachers that just disappeared?"
"That was probably the blood wards." Dumbledore says. "They protect themselves."
"So why aren't they stopping you from interfering with us?" Hermione asks.
"My best guess would be that the wards are too new to you." Dumbledore says. "Blood wards are outside my knowledge. I'm not even sure how Lily Potter found out about them."
"Professor Snape might know." McGonagall says.
"Why would he know?" Harry asks.
McGonagall sighs. "He was friends with your mother when they were young. Even though they were sorted into different houses they were friends right up to the time that James and Lily started dating."
"That's why Professor Snape hates Harry!" Hermione shouts. "He had a thing for his mum?"
"And I look just like my dad, who took her away from him." Harry says. "It all makes sense now."
"I'll talk to him, see what he knows." McGonagall says.
"I would appreciate that." Harry says.