===December 19 1993===
Harry looks out the window as they ride the train home for winter break.
"A penny for your thoughts?" Hermione asks as she sits pressed against him. Loki is asleep in her lap.
"I suppose that's all they're worth when compared to yours." Harry smirks.
Hermione chuckles softly. "Funny, but seriously what's on your mind?"
"It's hard to describe."
"Try, for me?"
Harry nods. "Is it weird that I feel lucky?"
"How so?"
"What are the odds that a wizard would need a muggle dentist?" Harry asks. "Then that dentist would have a magical daughter that is just the right age to be going to school with said wizard's son?"
"And those two would become such good friends that they would activate a betrothal agreement in their first year?" Hermione asks.
"Yeah, that part technically falls on me." Harry says. "You intended to kiss my cheek."
Hermione smiles and kisses him lightly. "Gryffindor courage at its best, kissing a girl when you thought you were going to die."
"I was scared that I would lose you as a friend when I kissed you."
Hermione nods. "I'm honestly not sure what we would have done if not for the agreement"
"You probably would have said something like let's discuss this next year after we've had some time to think about it. I would have gone back to the Dursleys and had a miserable summer." Harry says. "Knowing them, unless Hagrid came to get me again, I'd never come back."
Hermione hugs him. "I think once I got home and you weren't there, I'd realize I had feelings for you. I'd make my dad come get you, and if the Dursleys had you locked up you'd never have had that argument with him."
Harry chuckles imagining Richard busting down the Dursleys door as he hugs her back. "So, you think we'd be together?"
"Of course." Hermione says. "I think we're meant to be."
Harry smiles and they spend the rest of the train ride happily pressed together.
#####
Harry and Hermione get off the train and find her parents waiting for them as usual. After a round of fierce hugs, Richard speaks. "Are you two ready to go to Grandmum's for Christmas again?" They both nod and everyone heads for the car.
A couple of hours later Richard pulls the car up to the house. Harry gets out of the car and admires the beauty of the house and the nature around it, with the waxing crescent moon giving just enough light to reflect upon the snow.
He hears the crunch of snow behind him as Hermione hugs him from behind. "It's beautiful at night, isn't it?"
"At least in winter, what about summer?" Harry asks.
"Lots of animal sounds at night, though they rarely come to the house. I was thinking we'd have our ceremony at noon. Mum's got a contractor that's going to build the pergola she designed in that copse of trees. They should provide shade for us and the guests, but still be plenty of light for pictures."
"That sounds nice." Harry says.
"You two coming?!" Richard yells from the house.
Hermione lets go of Harry and they make their way into the house. "Hermione my dear!" Claire comes and hugs Hermione tight the second they enter the house.
Hermione immediately lets go of Harry's hand and hugs her back. "Grandmum, I missed you too."
Claire breaks the hug with Hermione and looks at Harry. "I think I'm ready for that hug now Grandmum."
"You had better be." Claire says as she hugs Harry and he manages to hug her back. "Especially if you're marrying Hermione this summer."
"Thank you for letting us hold it here." Harry says as they end the hug.
"I'm honored to have it here." Claire says. "I can't wait, Helen described your dress to me, it sounds beautiful."
"Actually, Grandmum, I wanted to ask you something." Harry pauses. "Kinda personal."
"Go ahead, I won't be offended."
"Would you like to have a wizard healer come to you to see if they can make you see with magic?" Harry asks.
"Harry!" Helen yells.
"I said it was personal." Harry says defensively.
"Is this what you were talking to Madam Pomphrey about the other day?" Hermione asks.
Harry nods. "I wanted to know if it was even a possibility since she's a muggle."
Hermione nods. "Grandmum?"
Claire smiles. "I'm touched by the offer. I really am, but I can't. I'm not afraid of magic, if that's what you think this is."
Harry shakes his head. "It's okay Grandmum, I think I understand."
"Oh?" Claire says. "This I've got to hear."
"When I was growing up my uncle and his family mistreated me, called me a freak. I know now it's all because I'm a wizard. But before I knew that I tried everything I could to make them happy. If I had been given the option to give up magic to be accepted by them, I would have turned that down. I wouldn't change who I was for anything." Harry looks at Claire. "Am I close Grandmum?"
"Pretty much on the nose, Harry." Claire says. "Hermione I'm sure you would love it if I saw you in your wedding dress, but I can't change who I am."
"Grandmum, I don't need you to see me in my dress. I just need you to be here for me. Sitting in the front row as I walk down the aisle." Hermione says.
"That I can do." Claire says as she hugs Hermione.
Loki rubs against Claire's ankle. Claire lets go of Hermione. "Who is that?"
Hermione chuckles as she picks up Loki. "This is my familiar, her name is Loki. She's half-kneazle, half-cat.
"Is that why she has a magical signature?" Claire asks
"Probably." Hermione says.
"Do you muggles normally take this long to introduce your guests to each other?" Sirius says as he stands at the door to the kitchen.
"Sirius, what are you doing here?" Harry asks.
"When you wrote to me and told me what you were doing for Christmas I just had to meet these people. After all, I'm your Godfather, I should know who your future in-laws are." Sirius answers.
"Surprise." Richard says.
Harry smiles, his family was together for the first time. "Thank you."
===December 20 1993===
Harry knocks on Sirius' door. Sirius opens the door. "Harry, you need something?"
"I need to break a promise I made to you." Harry says.
Sirius moves to let him in and they both sit. "I'm listening."
"I need to ask you about…Azkaban." Harry says.
Sirius' mood turns somber. "What about it?"
"How did you cope with the dementors?" Harry asks.
Sirius sighs. "I spent the majority of the time they patrolled the halls in my animagus form. They don't bother animals."
"Unfortunately, I don't think that's going to help me right now." Harry says.
"You can resist them with occlumency, but it's difficult to learn. I can teach you what I can during break." Sirius says.
"Hermione too, please. " Harry says.
"Go get her and meet me in study."
===December 25 1993===
Everyone finds a spot around the Christmas tree, while Hermione in her usual excitement starts to hand out the gifts. Richard starts to say something but Harry stops him and shakes his head. Her pure joy is obvious to see, and seeing that on her face is enough for Harry.
Once all the gifts that had been under the tree are opened and thanks have been given Harry pulls a gift out of his pocket and enlarges it to its proper size, a fairly large box sits in his lap. "Grandmum, I have a special present for you." He hands the box to her.
Claire carefully takes the box. "Harry, what did you do now?" Hermione asks as Claire opens the box. She carefully feels inside the box and pulls out a bust.
"I don't understand." Claire says.
Harry takes her hand and runs it over the features of the face. "Does this face seem familiar?"
Claire starts to tear up. "Gregory, my beloved Gregory. "
Hermione finally looks at the bust. "It's Grandpa."
"Harry asked if I had any pictures of my father." Richard says. "But I didn't know why."
"I figured Grandmum had to miss him the most, and she couldn't even see a picture of him. So, I came up with this." Harry says.
Claire starts openly crying. "This is the most wonderful Christmas gift I've ever been given." She puts the bust aside and grabs Harry in a bone-crushing hug.
Harry hugs her back. "I'm really glad you like it."
"Hermione, you had better take care of him. He's got the biggest heart ever." Claire says.
Hermione comes over and hugs them both. "I plan to try my best."
=== January 1 1994 ===
"Well, Pup." Sirius sighs. "You've got a long way to go."
"Yeah, I guess so." Harry admits. "Is there anything I can do in the meantime?"
"Practice, Hermione is a natural at both occlumency and legitimacy, so she can help you." Sirius says.
Hermione blushes slightly at the compliment. "Of course I'll help, but I believe that Harry was asking for anything that can help while he learns?"
"Contact Malachi, he should be able to make something that will help." Sirius answers.
"I'll write to him." Harry says.