Reading Time: 121 Minutes

Title: In The Aftermath of War
Author: Meri
Fandom: Harry Potter
Genre: Drama, Family, First Time, Future Fic / Post-Canon, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Slash
Relationship(s): Harry Potter/Theodore Nott, Pre-Draco Malfoy/Hermione Granger
Content Rating: R
Warnings: *No Mandatory Warnings Apply, Canon-level Violence, discussions of child abuse, PTSD
Author Note: Note 1: As always, I believe that canon is a suggestion, not a rule. Note 2: This story starts at the very end of Deathly Hallows, it veers off after that. Because that epilogue served no one and nothing.
Beta: Serpent’s Garden
Word Count: 88,000
Summary: In the aftermath of a war that took years to ignite and ended in a bloody battle with deep losses on both sides, the consequences stretched far beyond the last battle. Headmistress McGonagall is determined to see her students work through what happened to them and hopefully find a measure of peace with it. Narcissa Malfoy’s one goal for the war was to make sure her son survived it. Now that she has accomplished that, her next goal is to make sure her society survives as well — that includes everyone in it.

Now that it was all over, Harry Potter wanted all the information that had been kept from him and to make some sense of his life. Hermione Granger wanted nothing more than for the nightmares to stop long enough to get a whole night’s sleep. Theodore Nott wanted the same thing. So did Draco Malfoy.
Artist: Spuddoc

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Chapter 7

The Burrow

The following Day

Hermione came down the stairs, careful to miss the one that creaked, hoping she wouldn’t wake anyone. She was hungry for the first time in a long time and wanted to make herself something to eat. Molly had taught her some cooking spells, and she was about to practice one of them.

It wasn’t clear to her why she was suddenly hungry, but maybe it was a positive sign that things were getting a little better. And she thought perhaps they were. Finding out about Theo had made her feel less alone. He was family, and from what she could tell of him, delighted to have found her, too.

Perhaps she was pinning too much hope on it, but it would be really nice to have more family. For all that Hermione counted Harry and Ron as family, like her, Harry had no one else. But with Ron, it was different with him because he had such a big family.

Hermione sniffed. Merlin, she missed her parents more than she could have imagined she would when she made them forget about her.

She sat down with a sigh. Her appetite suddenly disappeared again. Maybe she’d wait for Molly to wake up before she made herself anything.

There was a creak on the stairs, and Ron came into the kitchen. “You all right, Hermione?” he asked as he sat down at the table beside her. “I didn’t see you last night.”

“I was out to dinner with Harry and Theo –”

“Theo?” Ron asked, sounding surprised. “Who is he?”

“Theodore Nott?”

“The Slytherin?” Ron’s tone was flat, like he couldn’t quite believe it.

She nodded and expected an explosion. But it never came. She looked at Ron in time to see a series of questions play across his face. Finally, he sighed. “Uh, why would you and Harry be having dinner with him?”

Well, at least he hadn’t called him a snake. “It seems that he’s my first cousin, once removed.”

Ron blinked a couple of times. “Umm…how does that work?”

“So, I had a blood trace done, and his father and my grandmother were brother and sister,” Hermione said. “She was a Squib, obviously. He had no idea that she even existed.”

“And he’s going to acknowledge you?” Ron sounded like he didn’t think that was even possible.

“He said he was going to make me his heir until he had children. So, yes,” Hermione said. “At dinner, he asked if I wanted to live with him. At Nott Hall.”

“I am pretty surprised by that,” Ron said. “Are you going to move in with him? You don’t know him.”

“I’m thinking about it,” Hermione said. She wasn’t sure she was ready to leave the safety of the Burrow yet, but she also thought maybe it was too safe here. “What did you do after you left the bank?”

“I went up to Hogwarts and saw Professor McGonagall,” Ron said. “I asked her about what possibilities there were for me for a career, but I need to decide what I want to do first. She gave me some good advice. Then, I saw Dr. Cameron about stuff from the war.”

Hermione understood that need. “Are you going to see him again?”

“Maybe one or two more times. But I’m not having problems, not like –”

“Yeah, I know,” Hermione said. “But I came down to make myself some breakfast.”

“You’re feeling hungry,” Ron asked, with a big smile for her, which looked so hopeful. “That is good. What are you going to fix?”

“I was thinking of pancakes,” Hermione said. “I haven’t had them in a long time.”

“You know, my mom would be happy to make them for you,” Ron said.

“I know, but I think that I am going to do it myself,” she said. “Your mom taught me the spells.”

Ron smiled. “Can I get you to make a few extra ones?”

“Sure. You can help me with the ingredients for the batter,” Hermione said with a laugh.

*****

After breakfast, they put the dishes in the sink and Hermione set a spell to wash them. “Why did you get up so early?” Hermione asked, sitting back down at the table.

“I couldn’t sleep. I’ve been thinking about a lot of things,” Ron said, and he looked down and then back at her. “This might not be the right time to say this –”

“But maybe we were a little hasty in getting together?” Hermione asked. Because when she could think, which wasn’t as often as she would have liked, she had been thinking the same thing.

Ron nodded, looking relieved. “I think we’ve both changed a lot since the end of sixth year, and we might want to,” he paused and rubbed the back of his neck. “We might not want the same things we thought we wanted then.”

“I understand what you’re saying. I agree,” Hermione said. She did understand. “We are not the same people as last year. For me, it’s just not possible to be that person anymore.”

“I just feel like it’s time for me to stop playing around and actually do something. I need to decide what I want to do, but I’m not sure what might be available for me. Truthfully, I don’t even know what my options are.”

“Do you know what you don’t want to do?” Hermione asked. “That might be the place to start.”

Ron laughed. “Yeah, there are plenty of things I don’t want to do. Like being an Auror or having my life in danger constantly. I had enough of that last year to last me pretty much for the rest of my life.”

“I have to agree with you on that,” Hermione said. “I want to do something meaningful, but hopefully not dangerous. And for you, wasn’t being an Auror because Harry wanted to do that?” Though Hermione was pretty sure that Harry wasn’t interested in that any longer.

“That’s true. I do not want to do that. I need to learn to be what I want to be, for myself,” Ron said.

Hermione nodded. “I think we all need to be that –”

There was another creak on the stairs, and Molly appeared in her dressing gown. “Are you both all right?”

“We are Mum,” Ron said. “Hermione made pancakes because she wanted to eat them.”

“I see that,” Molly said, casually, with a big smile. She seemed very happy with that news. “Did the spell work all right for you, dear?”

“It was great. Thanks again for showing it to me,” Hermione said, sincerely. “I guess I should tell you, too. I had a blood trace done yesterday.” She told her about Theo Nott and then about the Dagwood-Granger family.

“You didn’t mention the Dagwood-Granger part,” Ron said. “There’s a fortune there, too.” He laughed at her. “Are you going to get to be too rich for us poor Weasleys?”

The way he said it was surprising. But he didn’t seem jealous or actually worried about it at all. “What do you think, Ronald?” she asked him, tartly.

He laughed at her again. “I think you’ll set up charities to make sure that the laws get changed so that house elves have the right to choose who they want to work for. And I think you’ll work to get unfair laws changed so that they don’t favor the Purebloods anymore. And what else, oh, I know, set up a fund for Hogwarts to fund a class on Wizarding Culture, or something else maybe?”

“I think he knows you very well,” Molly said with a laugh. “I’m sure that’s what you’ll do. Does Lord Nott know about this?”

“I asked him about his house elves, and then he called his head elf –”

“And they explained their real circumstances as house elves?” Molly guessed.

Hermione nodded. “I was surprised by the hobby element.”

“It’s how they are paid,” Molly said, holding up her fingers to quote paid. “Most old families would never mistreat their elves. They are considered part of the family.”

“Why don’t you have any?” Hermione asked.

“A lot of reasons, mostly dealing with money. My aunt Muriel sent her nanny elf to help out when each of the children were born, but I prided myself on being able to handle my own children. And the truth is, that we didn’t have the money for an ongoing hobby fund.”

Hermione was surprised she put it baldly like that. But like everyone else, Molly wasn’t quite herself these days. “He asked me to come live with him at dinner last night.”

“Do you want to?” Molly asked. “You do not really know him.”

“I know. But he is my cousin, and I have so little family left.”

“I can see how that would be nice for you,” Ron said. “It must be hard not to have that family connection. I know I’m lucky in that way. I know you know that you and Harry are a part of my family, but it’s not the same, is it?”

It wasn’t, and that was part of the problem. “I love and appreciate your family.” Hermione glanced at him and then at Molly. “I haven’t made any decisions yet.”

“We’ll support you,” Ron said. “Whatever you decide.”

“Thanks, Ron,” Hermione said. “I appreciate that. I’m going over to St. Mungo’s tomorrow to see if they can do anything about closing the cursed wound Bellatrix gave me.” She rubbed her arm a little.

“Do you want me to go with you?” Molly asked, and for some reason, she seemed tense. “I’ve heard it can be hard to get in to see someone sometimes.”

“No. Thank you,” she said. “Theo said he’d get an appointment for me with Healer Dodge, since I don’t have one.”

“That’s good,” she said.

*****

Diagon Alley

That Morning

“Thank you for meeting me before we go to Lord MacLachlan’s office,” Theo said, sitting down at the table. “I wanted to let you know that –”

“Hermione Granger is your cousin?” Draco said with a smirk. “Mother mentioned it to me. I know you went to see her at the bank after it was discovered.”

Theo huffed out a laugh. “Well, there was no need to meet me for breakfast then, was there?”

“It was a chance to get out earlier,” Draco said with a smile. “Although what are you going to do about it, Granger, I mean?”

“Aside from welcoming her into my family magic, you mean?” Theo wanted it known upfront that he had no problems whatsoever with Hermione joining his family.

“I am surprised by that,” Draco said with a raised eyebrow, and then held up a hand. “Not that you offered. Honestly, you have been desperate for true family for most of the years I have known you.”

Even if it were a fair statement, Theo was not going to address that. Draco knew better than anyone else that Theo and his father were not well suited to each other, and his father had all the power, which he used and abused as much as possible.

“What surprises me, I guess, is that she accepted,” Draco continued. “She has no concept of our world and what it means.”

“She is trying to learn, and I am very sure that she will know all that she needs to in a very short amount of time,” Theo said. “Do you doubt that for a moment?”

“No, I am very sure you are correct about that,” Draco said.

“Did your mother say that she also is heir to the Dagwood-Granger name and fortune?” Theo asked.

“Yes. That was less of a surprise given her name.” Draco looked at him. “It makes her a Half-blood and her children Purebloods. Well, if she marries a Pureblood, and she will have her choice of partners when this gets out.”

“I doubt she would appreciate being thought of as a prize for marriage.” Theo made a mental note to mention it to her as soon as he had a chance.

Draco shrugged. “She is likely going to be pursued by everyone with half a thought to marriage or anyone in need of a fortune. I might even try. I do not need a fortune, but she could do my name and reputation no end of good.” Draco grinned at him. “She is not hard on the eyes, either.”

“There are so many things wrong with what you just said that it does not bear thinking about. And the most important thing would be: how in Merlin’s name do you think that she would even talk to you?” Theo asked, frowning at him. It was as if he thought he could rewrite his history with Hermione. “You and the rest of Slytherin tormented her for years.”

“It was not that bad, and she gave back just as good, if not better than any Slytherin there,” Draco pointed out, waving a hand. “Besides, there is…”

“No,” Theo said flatly and looked at Draco. “Possibly a magical resonance? Really?”

“Yes. I am not sure what she is feeling –”

“Or if she even knows about it at all,” Theo suggested. And it was very likely that neither Hermione nor Harry knew anything about it. “Maybe you should ask your mother to mention it to them?”

“How could she not know?” Draco asked. Then seemed to think about what he had just said, and he sighed. “I guess it is possible that she might not. That’s too bad.”

“Give it some time,” Theo said, and looked down. He was definitely not going to mention what he was feeling to anyone right now. But maybe the magic would happen for him, too.

“I guess I am going to have to,” Draco agreed.

“But I still feel I should mention that Hermione was reviled by you and most of the other Slytherins for years,” Theo pointed out. “Although I have heard that she is quite forgiving, it might also help if you gave her the truth about your father. I think that would possibly make her understand what you were living with.”

“Yeah. Potter did testify on our behalf, so there’s that too,” Draco said. “I cannot really think about that now. We should order and then get to MacLachlan’s office. I am trying not to be hopeful about any of this.”

“Yes. I understand that. I wish for the mark to be gone.” Even though Voldemort was dead, the mark felt ugly or tainted or something. He had no idea what it might be. Maybe MacLachlan could tell him.

“Going back to Granger, she is going to have to add the Dagwood name to her own, and what about yours? I mean, Dagwood-Granger-Nott is kind of ridiculous,” Draco pointed out.

“She did not say, but maybe she needs to think about it,” Theo said. “She is undoubtedly aware of the issue since she accepted both families’ magic yesterday.”

“If you adopted her as your sister, she could be a Nott,” Draco said thoughtfully. “Or Granger-Nott.”

“That has some merit. There would be no questioning the right of inheritance if she were my sister,” Theo had no idea how that might work. But he liked the idea of her being his sister. “It is not that likely that I will have children who are not blood adopted.”

“And what is wrong with blood adoption? It is perfectly legitimate. Plus, there are magical ways for children to be yours, even if you did not contribute to their initial makeup.”

“Why do you know that? I had not thought you were interested in wizards. Certainly not the way I am.” Theo had always known he would never want a witch the way he wanted wizards. And that would mean blood adopted children.

“You are correct, I am not interested in wizards, hence my interest in Dagwood-Granger,” Draco pointed out. “Do you think anyone would question her legitimacy to the Nott inheritance? I mean, you set that as the Lord.”

“True. Plus, I have disowned the last of the Death Eater cousins.”

“I had not realized any had survived,” Draco said. “Certainly, not anyone who was in line for the title.”

“No one remotely in line for the title survived the war,” Theo confirmed. “But there were a few stray second or third cousins that could have tried for it. And even low-level Death Eaters were problematic in the family magic.”

“We should eat,” Draco said, touching his wand to the menu, and his selection appeared a moment later.

*****

Lord MacLachlan’s Office

An hour Later

Theo and Draco pushed open the door to Lord MacLachlan’s outer office. A wizard sat at a desk, clearly guarding the door. “I am Lord MacLachlan’s secretary, Alan. How can I help you?”

Draco cleared his throat. “We have an appointment with Lord MacLachlan this morning.”

Alan stood up. “He said to show you in when you arrived.”

The door behind him opened, and Alan held out his hand for them to precede him into the other room. “Lord Nott and Mister Malfoy are here to see you, sir,” Alan announced from the door.

MacLachlan looked up. “Come in,” he said, standing. “Lord Nott, Mr. Malfoy. It is good to see you both. Please be seated.” He waved them to a sofa near the fireplace and sat in a chair across from it.

After they were seated, MacLachlan looked at them. “What can I do for you both?”

“We understand that you are the high warlock of a conclave,” Draco said.

“The conclave’s name is In Magicis Opera. –”

“In magic’s service,” Theo finished.

“That is correct, Lord Nott,” MacLachlan said and glanced at them. “What can we do for you both?”

“We understand that it might be possible to remove the dark mark,” Draco said.

MacLachlan blinked. Clearly, he was not expecting that. “While it is technically possible to remove the dark mark. It would only be possible if you were unwilling to have taken it in the first place. Which might seem like a contradiction, because to have it you must be willing to take it.”

“That is not as much of a contradiction as you might think, Lord MacLachlan,” Theo said. “I was unwilling. Completely and utterly unwilling.”

“And yet, you still were marked,” MacLachlan said very mildly. His tone lacked any accusation.

Which Theo appreciated more than he could say. “My father gave me a choice. I could be marked or die by Cruciatus for disobeying him. Have you ever felt Cruciatus, Lord MacLachlan? It is unimaginably painful, so much so that it is possible to go mad from the pain within a short amount of time. Very short.”

“No, I have never felt it. I am shocked to hear that you have,” MacLachlan said.

“It is used as a disciplinary tool by some of the old families,” Draco said. “A few seconds of that will guarantee compliance with just about anything.”

MacLachlan sucked in a breath. “I can tell that you are not lying.” MacLachlan looked at Theo. “Would you allow me to examine your magic?”

Theo nodded tightly. He hated having anyone draw a wand on him. But he hoped that MacLachlan would not try to force an invasion on his magic.

For a moment or two, MacLachlan waved his wand in a complicated movement. It was a very light touch, almost imperceptible. The air around Theo turned white and then stayed white before finally dissipating when MacLachlan lowered his wand.

“I have examined many wizards in my time, but I’ve rarely seen one whose magical core is as pure as yours and certainly not one with a dark mark.” He looked at Theo. “Will you show the mark to me and allow me to examine it?”

Theo stood. He took off his robe, rolled up his sleeve, and held out his arm without a word.

MacLachlan stood beside him and moved his wand over the mark. After a few minutes, MacLachlan sighed. “It is a travesty that this was done to you,” he finally said, frowning. “I will call a full conclave, and I believe we can remove the mark from your arm and cleanse your magic. Although the mark has not tainted your magic in a significant way, it has caused you some damage magically that will require healing.”

“I could feel that, and I am hopeful that, given my circumstances, you might be able to help me,” Theo said. “I know you do not take payment, but if there is anything I can do for you or In Magicis Opera, I would see it done.”

MacLachlan smiled. “I need no payment, and my service is to the Lord and Lady of Magic. Beyond that, we can talk about favors after we finish with you. The new moon next month will be a good time for the ritual. If that will be acceptable to you?”

“I am deeply in your debt even for the attempt,” Theo said.

MacLachlan nodded and glanced at Draco.

“I was not as unwilling as Theo was. That said, I was not willingly marked at sixteen,” Draco said. “And I have attempted to cast Cruciatus a few times, but I could not summon the hate required. Even for Muggles.”

“May I examine you?” MacLachlan asked.

Draco nodded. He also stood and removed his robe, bearing his marked arm.

The white cloud around Draco was not as white as it was for Theo, but it was at least grayish-white for the whole examination.

“You managed to avoid anything truly dark,” MacLachlan said.

“I tried not to, but I was caught between my father and Voldemort. I was tasked with an impossible mission so that I would fail and he could kill me as punishment for my father’s failure.”

“And what was the task, and what happened?” MacLachlan asked and then glanced at Theo.

“He knows. I was supposed to kill Dumbledore in my sixth year. And while I did try, I ultimately failed to do it. I really did not want to hurt or kill anyone. And I hurt Katie Bell with a cursed necklace, and although she was healed, I was literally sick for hours afterward. I was so disgusted with what I had been asked and what I was forced to do.”

MacLachlan nodded. “I am sure you realize there is some taint to your magic, but far less than I would have thought. I think your repentance has helped with that. I also believe we can remove your mark. It might not be as easily done as it will be for Lord Nott.”

Draco let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you,” he breathed. “I am so relieved by this. I feel like I might get my life back.”

MacLachlan glanced at Draco and Theo. “How did you get around the activities that most Death Eaters participate in?”

“I have never cast an unforgivable,” Theo said. “And the couple of times I had to participate in raids and the activities that went with it, I faked it.”

“You faked it?” MacLachlan asked, his eyebrow raised. “How do you fake rape and murder?”

Theo drew his wand and cast “Avada KeZavra.” An intense green light came out of his wand, and it hit the fireplace harmlessly. “It puts the recipient into a deep sleep for about two hours.”

“Clever,” MacLachlan said. “And the rest?”

“I could make it look like I was doing something that I was not. Both Draco and I were able to use the spell, and the fact that most of those participating were so completely intoxicated that they were not paying attention. As I am sure you understand, there was no not participating.”

“I’m impressed with your ingenuity with this,” MacLachlan said. “Were there others who were less than willing? If they wished it, they too could join you for the cleansing and healing ritual.”

“I actually do know of a few others. I shared the spell with some of my friends,” Theo said. “Draco might know a few others.”

“I do,” Draco said, nodding.

“Send anyone you think might want to participate to me, and I will test them to see if they can have the mark removed,” MacLachlan said, and he looked at Draco. “While I can not say for sure who will be able to have the mark removed, I can say that anyone who casts any dark or black magic will not stand a chance of having the taint of that removed.”

“Thank you for this,” Theo said as he put his robe back on and waited for Draco to do the same.

“We both appreciate it,” Draco said, moving towards the door.

*****

That Afternoon

Hermione flooed from the Burrow to the public floo in Gringotts Bank. As she exited the floo, one of the Goblin guards was waiting for her.

“Good day,” she said, inclining her head politely. “I’m Hermione Gran–Dagwood-Granger.” She wondered if she was supposed to add Nott in there somewhere, too.

“Good day.” The female guard bowed in return. “I’m Thea Axhand. Lady Malfoy asked me to show you to her.”

“Thank you,” Hermione said and followed Thea out of the room and down the hall.

As soon as she got to the door, Narcissa came out. “Good day, Hermione. I hope you are doing well.”

She nodded. “Thank you, Lady Malfoy. I am doing better. I hope you are well.”

“I know it’s late, but would you care to get a bite to eat before we go shopping. I haven’t had time to eat lunch yet.”

Hermione hadn’t eaten either. “That would be wonderful,” she replied.

It’s just a short walk to the place I have in mind,” Narcissa said, and led her out of Gringotts’ into the street.

A few minutes later, they settled into seats at a restaurant, The Ashwood & Ivy, that Hermione had never seen in Diagon before. But she’d already noticed that there were many places she’d missed when she’d been here in the past. She had usually been too focused on other things.

She and Narcissa made small talk for a while. It was not her strong suit, and finally, they came to the end when lunch was served.

After lunch, Narcissa looked at her with a little smile on her face. “Did you enjoy the meal?”

“I did,” Hermione said. “Thank you for suggesting it. I get the feeling that you wanted to talk to me.”

“I did. How did your meeting with Theodore Nott turn out for you?”

That wasn’t what Hermione would have thought she’d lead with. “It was good. I accepted his, our family magic, and it was nice. I was surprised to feel so welcomed by it.”

Narcissa looked a little surprised by that. “I am glad to hear it.”

“You seem surprised?” Hermione said.

“Not as much as you would think, because I know Theodore quite well. His father often left him in my care after his mother died,” Narcissa said.

Hermione wasn’t sure what to say to that. “That was kind of you.”

“I felt desperately sorry for him, and he became a good friend to my son.” She looked at Hermione. “He has become as close to me as a son.”

“Are you warning me about something?” Hermione asked, wondering just what she was trying to say.

“Not at all. Just commenting. He is very much alone in his family magic right now. There are only a few distant cousins left, and they are mostly very dark. Despite the dark mark that was forced on him, Theo is about as light as a wizard can be.”

“How is that possible with the dark mark? I understood that you had to be at least somewhat willing.” Hermione asked.

“There are many levels of willing,” Narcissa said. “I am sure he has tried to explain that.”

“He did, and I have to say that I was surprised. I believe he was telling me the truth,” she said. And she did believe it. “He has asked me to consider moving into Nott Hall with him.”

“I am not surprised. As I said, he wants family he can trust.”

“If I may ask, why are you telling me this?”

“I think both of you might help each other,” Narcissa said. “As I have said, he is dear to me.”

“You do not know me,” Hermione pointed out. “I might –”

“Turn out to be dark. Or a betrayer?” Narcissa snorted inelegantly. “I seriously doubt that.”

“I’m not as light as you seem to believe.” Hermione sighed. “The war –”

“I know,” Narcissa said sympathetically. “It was very hard on everyone. Those of us who chose incorrectly, as much as those who chose correctly. I am very sure you had to do things you would have thought impossible a short year ago.”

Hermione nodded. And realized that might be true for Narcissa, as well. “I have the feeling that many on the wrong side did not get that much of a choice at all. Like Theo. Perhaps you as well?”

“I had to follow the head of my house, just as my son did. Neither of us were entirely willing.”

“Why is that?” Hermione asked. “You were not allowed to disagree? I don’t understand that.”

“It is the nature of the Lord of the house in magical Britain. There are many levels to that, and some are more strident than others. Lucius Malfoy’s rule was absolute, just as his father’s before him was. It was difficult to register an objection once you are sworn to that.”

That was surprising and alarming. “And you cannot just leave?”

Narcissa shook her head. “Unless you have a family to go to, no. You will be stripped of the family magic, and that is enough to control most people who have it.”

Hermione thought about that for a moment. The feeling she got from the Dagwood-Granger magic was warm and welcoming. As was the Nott magic. But could she live without it? Probably. But she had not had it for very long, and she could see how having it was more than just nice. “Did you not have the Black family magic as well?”

Narcissa nodded. “However, Draco does not because there has been no one to grant it to him after he was born. I would not deprive him of his family magic. So, we did what we had to do to survive.”

And that would make all the difference to Narcissa. Hermione already knew that.

“We should be on our way,” Narcissa said, standing. “There is much to do yet this afternoon.”

That was an abrupt change, Hermione thought. “As you please, Lady Malfoy.”

“Narcissa,” she said, and held out her hand for Hermione to precede her.

Hermione nodded and led her out of the restaurant.

*****

“This seems like a lot,” Hermione said as she was once again in a fitting room with dozens of dresses and skirts all hanging on a rack. Another rack stood beside it, with day robes and night robes. “I have never owned half this many clothes at one time. And certainly not anything this fancy.” She held up a formal dress that was so far beyond the dress she’d worn to the Yule Ball that it was not even in the same category of formal. It was pretty enough, but she had no idea where she’d even wear it.

“It is not even half of what you should have,” Narcissa said. “Aside from being a war hero, and part of the victorious side. You are or will be shortly, the Lord of the House of Dagwood-Granger and the heir to the Lord of the House of Nott. Plus, the best friend of the Lord of the House of Potter-Black. In our world, those individually would be enough to elevate your status to the top tier, and all of them require you to dress and act a certain way.”

Part of Hermione wanted to rail against that. She should be accepted for who and what she was without having to worry about what she wore. But that wasn’t true even in the Muggle world. Everyone looked at those things.

She sighed. “I know. It’s just…”

“Making a good first impression can help smooth over many things. So, how you dress for that will matter.”

She sighed again. “I don’t have to like it.”

“No, but it does help if you do,” Narcissa said. “What is your biggest problem with it?”

“It seems extreme. I am not comfortable with this much,” Hermione said, waving at the piles of clothes. She sighed. “I know this is necessary for anyone to take me seriously, but it is just not me.”

“It will need to become you. I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to dress well and to begin to embrace Wizarding customs. There are so many traditions that will be expected of both you and Lord Potter-Black.”

“Why are you doing this? I mean, doesn’t it make more sense to let us fail, and then you can all go on your merry way?”

“No. Not at all,” Narcissa said, very decisively. “Our society has already begun to stagnate as a result of what happened the first time. We need to integrate the Muggleborns and Muggle-raised into our society. They, you bring new innovations and new blood, but it has to be done so that it does not disrupt our society. We are not going to become a Muggle society. You must come into ours. And you will need to follow our rules to change us from within.”

“Isn’t that a losing battle for most Muggleborns, anyway?” Hermione asked. “I know so many of them who did well in school, only to find out there were no ‘openings’ for the apprenticeships in the careers they wanted. In some cases, there were no jobs at all.”

“How well did they integrate themselves into Wizarding society? I’ll wager they came into the interviews poorly dressed and possibly pointing out how much better things work in the Muggle world.”

“Is that it? And it’s not discrimination because they are Muggleborn or Muggle raised,” Hermione asked, keeping her voice in the respectable range. But she knew too many who had been denied any kind of job for it to be something that was easily fixable.

“I am not sure you are aware that there are laws in place to stop discrimination of Muggleborns,” Narcissa said, and then raised her hand when Hermione would have said she didn’t believe that. “They exist, but like many laws, there are ways to get around them.”

“I’m sorry. I cannot believe that,” Hermione said flatly. “I –”

“I am quite sure you know several whom you can name who felt they were denied an apprenticeship, and it went to someone less qualified. To a Half-blood or a Pureblood? Someone raised in the Wizarding World.”

“Yes. I do know that,” Hermione said. “And I know it to be true.”

“Do you? Because the law is unambiguous. However, if they did not dress correctly or speak correctly, that could have been why they were denied the apprenticeship. Because, as I have said, that matters.”

“So, the laws may exist, but Pureblood society has found a way around them,” Hermione said.

Narcissa’s eyes narrowed. “In the Muggle World, if someone came to an interview dressed like a Wizard or Witch, would they get an important job? Or into one of your prestigious schools, even? Say Oxford?”

Hermione was shocked that she even knew what Oxford was. But she was not wrong. The old-fashioned dress code in the Wizarding World would not be accepted by anyone in a high-level corporate job. Perhaps a subject matter expert might get away with dressing differently after they were hired, but they probably wouldn’t get hired without a suit and tie or a dress with a jacket.

“If that is true, why hasn’t anyone told Muggleborns this? I mean, even if Dumbledore stopped teaching wizarding culture at Hogwarts, why didn’t the other teachers say something? Why let all those students go around continuing to make those same mistakes?”

“Look at the culture at Hogwarts, it caters to the Muggleborns at the expense of Wizarding culture,” Narcissa said, scathingly. “It isn’t the Muggleborns’ fault for that, and that is something that most in higher Wizarding society do not see. They see the rudeness of not dressing right for an important interview. They see their customs and culture ignored, or worse, they are told how things could be made better by someone who doesn’t even know their culture.”

“How do we fix this?” Hermione said.

Narcissa let out a small sigh. “I believe you can fix it. You can write an article about the wizarding world’s culture, and that might have more impact than anyone from wizarding society trying to tell a Muggleborn this information. We have been demonized as the cause of their problems, and they will not trust us. However, they might trust you.”

“It should come from their teachers. When we’re in school,” Hermione said. But she could see where Narcissa was coming from. It would go further if she wrote something. “How do I get it printed? The Daily Prophet pretty much hates me and Harry.”

“Lord Potter-Black owns quite a few shares of stock in that newspaper, and the Malfoys also own several. I believe that the Dagwood-Granger family owns some shares, and that the Nott family holding includes some shares in that as well,” Narcissa said with a cunning smile. “I believe that will be persuasive to Barnabas Cuffe. But make no mistake about him. While he is old, and he is probably not marked, he is a Pureblood supremist with only the slightest regard for tradition.”

And Hermione got it. “That’s what you wanted to accomplish today, not just getting me dressed appropriately.”

“Indeed,” Narcissa said with a small smile and a nod of her head. “I believe that I can educate you, the brightest, most famous Muggleborn in this generation, and you can help those who would not listen to me.”

“I’m technically a Half-blood, as you pointed out,” Hermione said. That was going to take some getting used to.

“It doesn’t matter. You will always be thought of as Lord Potter-Black’s Muggleborn best friend. At least until you launch yourself in society.”

“I have no idea how I’m going to do that,” Hermione said with a frown, but she glanced at Narcissa.

“I believe I can help you with that,” Narcissa replied. “I am quite sure that there will be a delightful end-of-summer ball for you and Lord Potter-Black. I am also sure that whoever hosts the ball will welcome my help with it.”

Hermione was sure they would. And she was going to let Narcissa do this. And then, she was going to make sure that those equality laws were enforced.

Chapter 8

The Following Morning

St. Mungo’s

Hermione was on her way out of St. Mungo’s after her appointment with the healer, and she was passing through the reception area. She glanced in automatically and was surprised to see Anna Rivers, who fought with them during the final battle, and had been in Dumbledore’s Army. She was a Hufflepuff, a year ahead of them.

The room was mostly empty. “How are you, Anna?” Hermione asked.

“Fine, thanks.” Anna shrugged. “I’ve been here for an hour.”

“Why so long? Were you early for your appointment?”

Anna snorted. “I didn’t bother to make one since I don’t really like any of the doctors I’ve seen. So, I always have to wait for one of them to become free to treat me.”

“Aren’t they called healers here?” Hermione asked.

“Whatever,” Anna said. “It’s always a wait.”

“Why put up with it?” Hermione asked. “You can get treated in the Muggle World.”

“I usually do that,” she said. “But I have migraines, and the headache potions work better than the meds that I can get in the Muggle world. I have to go through the hospital to get them.”

“Why not contact someone privately?”

“I could, I guess, but I don’t know anyone, and as I’ve said, most of the healers are pretty rude,” she said. “Weren’t they rude to you?”

Hermione shook her head. “They closed a magical wound for me,” she said. “Why are they rude to you?”

“It always seems like it’s an imposition that they have to treat me at all,” Anna said and sighed. “I’m probably not very polite to them at this point either. I don’t have patience for all of the rigmarole of the wizarding world. It’s all so old-fashioned, and they are all so stuck in their ways.”

“It is, but it has been recently pointed out to me that it is their world that we came into as children,” Hermione pointed out. “We are the ones who are out of place. They are perfectly happy with their world.”

Anna blinked at her. “What are you saying? That we should put up with this,” she nodded towards the room, “Without complaining or trying to change it?”

“Just what I said. That this,” Hermione said, waving a hand around the reception room. “This is their world, not the Muggle world. We are in a completely different culture, and they do not do things the same way the Muggle world does. And without us finding out about how they do things, we don’t know.”

“And we’re probably stepping on their toes, right and left, and then wondering why we get such shoddy service?” Her eyes were wide, and she was clearly thinking about the implications of this. “I never thought about it.”

“I believe that you weren’t supposed to –”

“We’ve all been set up to fail,” Anna guessed. “But why? Why aren’t we taught something about this at school?”

“I don’t know why? It might change now that Dumbledore is no longer headmaster,” Hermione suggested. She was going to have a long talk with McGonagall very soon. But she was also going to write that article for the Prophet as soon as she could.

Something else occurred to Hermione. “Have you started to look for a job or an apprenticeship yet?”

Anna nodded. “After everything that happened after I left Hogwarts last year, I finally got to apply for a few apprenticeships. I actually have an interview tomorrow and another later in the week, both for ministry apprenticeships. I thought I should have a decent shot at both of them. I took eight NEWTs and got seven outstandings. But I’ve been hearing that Muggleborns rarely get ministry apprenticeships.”

Hermione looked at Anna. She was wearing jeans, an Oxford button shirt, and a denim jacket. Something Hermione would have found perfectly acceptable before yesterday. “Don’t wear Muggle clothes for the interviews. Go to Madam Markin today and get a robe to wear over a day dress from either Madam Markin or Twilfitt and Tattings. If you can’t find something that you like, find it at one of the other clothing shops in Diagon Alley.”

Anna looked outraged and started to open her mouth to say something, and Hermione cut her off by raising her hand. “Think about what I just said. You probably have a nice Muggle business suit or dress to wear, right?”

“I do. My parents sent it to me just for the interviews –”

“You need to wear wizarding clothes. No one is going to hire someone in clothes from another culture,” Hermione said. And then repeated the analogy that Narcissa used.

Anna was silent for a second and then nodded. “That makes too much sense. I know a couple of Muggleborns who have gone on interviews already and were basically told they weren’t qualified. People who had more N.E.W.T.S. than I do.”

“You might tell them what I said, but I’m going to write an article about it for the Prophet very soon.”

“I can’t believe no one ever told us any of this.”

“This isn’t even a tenth of the information you need to succeed here. There are a hundred little things. Are you still friends with others from your house?”

She nodded. “Why didn’t they tell us?” she asked.

“Because no one thought of it, because these are things that everyone knows growing up here. Just like we do in the Muggle world, even our Pureblood friends don’t think to say anything because it is known already.” Hermione sighed. “If you ask someone, I’m sure they would tell you, but if you don’t ask, then how would they know you didn’t know. And how would you know you needed to ask?”

“Except that is it, isn’t it?” Anna’s tone was bitter. “It was as if the knowledge of how to succeed was withheld on purpose.”

“Maybe it was,” Hermione said. And was it just Hogwarts? Or maybe it was the Ministry and Pureblood society trying to keep a lock on what Muggleborns know. Something else occurred to her. “Another thing you might do is have a blood trace done at the bank.”

“Why?” Anna asked.

“To see if you have any family in the Magical World,” Hermione said. “Pureblood culture includes abandoning their nonmagical children in the Muggle world. The magic has to come from somewhere.”

Anna’s eyes widened, and she frowned. “How do you even know about that?”

“I was told. And I have been tested. Apparently, I’m the head of house for one family and cousin and heir to another.”

“Who?”

The first wasn’t going to mean anything to Anna, but the second might. “I’m the Dagwood-Granger head of house, and,” Hermione cleared her throat. “I’m first cousin to Theodore Nott.”

“Bloody Hell,” Anna swore. “What did Nott say about that, if he even knows?”

Hermione smiled. Theo had been such a pleasant surprise. “Yes. He knows. He was thrilled with me being part of his family and had me claim his family magic as soon as he found out about me. He’s actually been wonderful to me so far.”

“Do you trust that?”

“It’s clear he wants me to be part of his life and family. I get the feeling he has very little family left after the war, and that most of them are pretty dark,” Hermione surmised. “Given everything, I’m glad to have him, too.”

“I’ll do the trace today, as well,” Anna agreed. “I have a big Muggle family, but most of them don’t know that I’m a witch. So, it makes it hard.”

“Let me know how it goes,” Hermione said. “I should be going.”

“Thank you,” Anna said. “So much. In ten minutes, you’ve given me more information to succeed here than I got in seven years of school.”

Hermione nodded and stepped away.

*****

Grimmauld Place

That Afternoon

Harry was sitting at his desk, attempting to work through the list of his holdings, companies, and assets to figure out what each did and whether he wanted to keep them. There were a few that he was definitely going to sell as soon as possible.

The goblin information had included whether or not each entity was affiliated with Death Eaters or any kind of pure-blood extremism. It wasn’t that easy to tell, but most of the companies that were in the Black portfolio were run by Pureblood wizards. The Potter portfolio was more diverse. There were companies run by Pureblood and Half-blood witches. And a few Muggle-owned companies. He wondered if that was his mother’s influence.

It was mind-numbing to work through each of the holdings. He wondered if he could push at least some of it back to his account manager, but no. It was time for him to be a grown-up wizard and actually do what needed to be done himself.

As he looked down at the next folder, he heard the floo ignite, and he moved quickly out of the office and down the stairs with his wand drawn. Hermione stepped out of the floo as he rushed into the room with his wand drawn.

“Are you all right, Harry?” Hermione asked, stopping short and giving him a startled look.

Harry’s heart was slowing, and he put away his wand. “Yeah. Sorry. When someone shows up unexpectedly –”

“I thought you set the wards so only Ron and I could come unexpectedly.” Hermione raised an eyebrow at him.

“I did. But?” He shrugged. “What did you need?”

“Nothing, really,” Hermione said, and it was clear it was something. “Especially if you’re busy.”

“I’m not. Just going over my company holdings and trying to decide what to keep and what to get rid of,” Harry said. “I could use a break.”

“I got a note from the Goblins on my parents.” Hermione looked a little lost, which was not a good look for her.

“Do you want some tea?” Harry suggested, and then called, “Kreature.”

Kreature popped in. He was wearing black trousers, a white shirt, and a grey waistcoat. “What can Kreature do for Lord Black?”

While Kreature would speak in more or less standard English since he’d been told to, he always referred to himself in the third person. Harry found that odd, but Kreature was odd.

“Would you please make us some tea and a sandwich for me?” he said, looking at Hermione. “Do you want something to eat?”

“Maybe a scone?” Hermione suggested.

Harry glanced back at Kreature. “In the sitting room, please.”

“Kreature can do that.”

“Thank you,” Harry replied, and Kreature popped away.

He held out his hand for Hermione to precede him out of the room.

*****

They drank their tea in silence, since he was not inclined towards small talk with anyone, especially not Hermione.

She took another bite of her scone and put it down. “I got a note from the Goblins –”

“What did it say?”

She pulled it out of her pocket and glanced at it. “Several things. One is that my parents are back in England. They sold their house and their practice last summer after I memory charmed them, and they spent six months on a Mercy ship as dentists. But that is not what I told them to do. I told them to immigrate to Australia.”

Harry had no idea that was even possible. “How then?”

“I don’t know,” Hermione said. “If the charms didn’t take, then they would not have done anything. Why did they do that?”

“Did the Goblins find out where they are?” Harry asked.

Hermione blew out a breath. “Yes. They came back to England at the beginning of this year and went to work for a big dentistry firm in Birmingham. They bought another house, quite similar to the one I grew up in, and that’s where they have been.”

“Was there any other information?”

“Just that they were easy to trace because they did everything through English banks –”

“What does that even mean?”

“I don’t know, Harry. I think that the charms didn’t work. But if they didn’t, why did they leave at all?” Hermione sounded very upset.

Harry could understand that. It looked like this was going to be much more of a mess than Hermione had initially thought. “Maybe we should go talk to them,” Harry finally suggested

“I don’t know. I don’t know what I would say.” Hermione sighed. “I have to assume that they knew I did something to them, and whatever it was, it wasn’t good enough to actually stick.”

Something occurred to Harry. “What if the charms would have worked if they were Muggles, but since they are not –”

“What?” Hermione looked shocked by that, and then he could see her big brain click in. “I hadn’t considered that. They are both, at the very least, Squibs. Both of them are really only a generation or two off from magic.”

“That is true,” Harry said. “What do you want to do about this?”

“I don’t know, but clearly I can’t just let it lie.” Hermione sounded worried.

“Why don’t we go and see them tomorrow or the next day?”

“I guess I should,” Hermione agreed. “I need to face them. I have an appointment with Dr. Cameron tomorrow morning. Maybe you can meet me at Hogwarts after that, and we can go then.”

“Of course,” Harry said and took a sip of his now cold tea.

*****

After Hermione left, Harry was sitting at his desk, and something else occurred to him. “Kreature,” he called.

“You called Kreature,” he said. “What can I be doing for Lord Potter-Black?”

“Do you have a hobby fund?” Harry asked.

“You know about the hobby fund?” Kreature seemed shocked by the question.

“Well, Lord Nott’s elves all have a hobby fund. Do you have one?” Harry asked again and could see Kreature looking at him with surprise in his big eyes.

“No. Mistress did not think me being worthy of that,” Kreature said, shaking his head.

That would not do for Harry’s elves, and for good or for bad, he’d claimed Kreature as his elf. “Well, I’m going to set one up for you, and maybe find another elf or two who wants to work for me to help you with the house.” Harry would have to talk with someone from the bank about that, too.

“Kreature is not being worthy of a fund.” But maybe there was just a hint of hope in Kreature’s tone.

“I think you are. Perhaps you would use it, if it were there?” Harry pressed. “I’ll set it up today. Maybe put a few thousand galleons –”

“No. That is far too much for the likes of Kreature. He is not worthy.” It was clear that Kreature did want the fund.

And that was a good enough reason to do it. “Don’t I get to decide that, since you work for me?” Harry was trying not to smile at him. “So, tell me how much should be in it for you and maybe one or two other elves.”

Kreature huffed. “Maybe a hundred galleons for each of us for the year.”

“That doesn’t seem like enough. Do you even remember how to do your old hobbies?” Harry asked.

“Kreature remembers. He liked to paint pictures. Especially flowers and trees. But has not done so in many years.”

“That’s great!” Harry was excited that he got him to admit it. “Why do you refer to yourself in the third person?”

“It being required by the previous mistress,” Kreature said.

“You can speak regular English. You have been since I asked you to and gave you your uniform. Maybe you could try referring to yourself differently?”

“I can. But it is not allowed.”

“By whom. Theo’s elf, Jobaba, speaks perfect English. I think you should, too.”

Kreature was silent for a moment. “I can do that.”

“Great,” Harry said. “I’ll have the bank set up the fund, and you’ll have access to it. Go out today and get whatever supplies you need. Right now, charge them to the regular house fund. I’m going to the bank later to get the hobby fund set up.”

“Thank you,” Kreature finally said, looking like he wasn’t sure he believed what had just happened.

Harry felt good about getting this right, finally.

*****

The Burrow

Early The Following Morning

Molly put a cup of tea in front of Hermione, and she looked up at her. “Thank you. I’m sorry to wake you –”

“Nonsense, dear,” Molly said soothingly. “I was up anyway. I’m not sleeping well.”

“I know,” Hermione said. “I thought I was getting better. It’s been a little while since I had a nightmare.” It had been almost a week. She’d been hopeful that it was finally settling down. “I hate it when this happens.”

“It is likely to happen for a while, yet,” Molly said. “You have only just started to work through the trauma of the last few years.”

“I know. But it seemed –” Hermione shrugged and then sighed. “I should have remembered my silencing charm.”

Molly nodded and sat down beside her with her own cup of tea. “Tell me about it,” she said softly. “It will help to talk about it.”

“I’m seeing Dr. Cameron today,” Hermione said. “It was another nightmare with Bellatrix.”

Molly nodded. “Go on, if you’d like. At this point, nothing will shock me.”

Hermione sat for a moment and sipped her tea. The nightmare had started out like the rest of them, with their capture at Malfoy Manor. But this one had been different. It hadn’t been her who was being tortured. It was her parents. By the end, they were both dead and unrecognizable. And all she kept hearing was Bellatrix’s cackling laughter.

“I don’t think I can talk about it, yet. I should go up and get dressed for the day. I think I’m going to go to Harry’s in a little while.”

For a second, it looked like Molly might argue, but she didn’t. “I’m sure he’ll be awake.”

“I’m sure as well,” Hermione agreed. “I’m going to send him a note, too.”

Hermione stood and headed for the stairs. She silenced her steps so that she wouldn’t wake Ginny when she went to get her clothes for the day.

*****

Hogwarts

Later That Morning

Hermione and Harry apparated to the gates of Hogwarts. “Thank you for coming with me,” Hermione said as they walked up the path towards the castle. “I just did not feel like being alone right now.”

“I’m happy to help you in any way I can,” Harry said earnestly.

And she knew he meant it, which warmed her heart. It was so good to have him around. “You won’t be bored waiting for me?”

“It’s only an hour, and I have documents to read. I’m trying to get a handle on all the Black and Potter holdings,” Harry said, and pulled a sheaf of parchment out of his robes pocket. Since they started their Wizarding Culture lessons with Narcissa, both she and Harry had been wearing wizarding clothes all the time. Harry even wore robes whenever he left his house. She had noticed that she was treated slightly better than she had been in the past. But she couldn’t think about that now.

She left Harry sitting outside in the sunshine, reading his documents. And started up the steps to Dr. Cameron’s office. She saw Theo coming towards her.

He smiled at her. “Hermione,” he said. “How are you this morning?”

Should she tell him the truth? She wondered. “I’m fine. How are you doing?”

His look said he could tell she was lying. “I always feel a little unsteady after a session with Dr. Cameron. I need a minute or two to process it.”

“Yes. I agree. I had a nightmare last night,” she admitted. “It was both the same and a little different than the previous ones.”

“I suspect that is going to be true for a while,” Theo said. “We have not had a lot of time to talk lately. Do you want to have dinner with me tonight?”

Did she? “I have some errands to run with Harry today,” she said. She did want to spend time with Theo.

“Bring him along,” Theo said, looking at his watch. “I need to get going. But shall I see you later?”

“Yes. I do want to start to get to know you better,” Hermione said and nodded up the corridor. “I also need to get to my appointment.”

“Very good,” Theo said, stepping back.

*****

A Few Minutes Later

As Theo was leaving the school after his session, he walked out the front of the castle with the intent of walking through the grounds to the apparition point outside the gates. As he had told Hermione, he needed a bit of time before going home to process what he and Dr. Cameron had talked about. Plus, Hogwarts in the summer was beautiful. Lush and green, and he liked walking around when no one else was there.

On his way out the front doors, he saw Harry sitting on a low wall at the bottom of the steps.

“Are you waiting for Hermione?” Theo asked as he approached.

“What are you doing here?” Harry said, clearly startled.

“I think I have mentioned seeing Doctor Cameron a couple of times a week,” Theo said.

“How are you doing with it?” Harry asked, waving a hand toward the school’s front entrance.

“It has helped me much more than I ever thought was possible,” Theo said. Just the lessening of the nightmares had been remarkable for his health. That he had also started to accept what had happened to him was another added benefit. He glanced at Harry. “Have you seen him?”

Harry shook his head. “I’m doing okay. The nightmares have slacked off, and I am not sure I want to stir up anything else. I am surprised you’d do something so…” Harry shrugged. “Muggle.”

“I am not a Pureblood supremist, and I will take whatever help I can get when I find it. As I said, it is helping me,” Theo pointed out. “I hope that it is helping Hermione as well. I could see she was upset this morning.”

Harry nodded. “Yes. She had another nightmare, and she was up the rest of the night. I think,” Harry paused. “I’m not sure I should be talking to you about her.”

Theo understood that. “Probably not. But I want to help her, if I can. I cannot reiterate enough that she is family to me.”

“You barely know her,” Harry pointed out, but not unkindly.

“That does not make her any less a part of my family,” Theo said. “On a related subject, I invited Hermione for dinner tonight. You are welcome to join us.”

“Thanks,” Harry said. “I would like that. Nott Hall? I think Hermione wants to see it.”

Theo sighed. “I’ve been having the elves redecorate, so it is not as cold and awful as it once was, but it is still not as welcoming as I would like.”

“I understand that. I’ve been working on Grimmauld Place, and it’s really slow going. I want it to be inviting, but,” Harry paused and shrugged. “I’m not sure it ever will be.”

“I understand that. Nott Hall is much the same. I would sell it and buy something else, but it is entailed in perpetuity to the Nott title.”

“The Black townhouse is too,” Harry said.

“I should get going. I will see you both tonight. I am sure the elves will be thrilled to have someone other than Draco for dinner.” Theo turned towards the gate. There was something about Harry Potter-Black that was different from anyone he had met before. He knew that he was going to have to say something about it to him soon.

*****

Hermione sat down on the comfortable sofa in Dr. Cameron’s Office and glanced at him. She felt like she’d slid backward with the nightmare. It wasn’t under her control, but it felt like she’d failed in some way. She should be getting better, and now, she had fallen behind again.

“How are you today, Hermione?” Dr. Cameron asked, sitting in the chair near the sofa.

“I’m fine,” she replied.

He just raised an eyebrow at her and waited.

Hermione sighed. “I had a nightmare last night.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

No. She really didn’t. “It was about Bellatrix again.”

And he waited. He honestly seemed to have endless patience. If she didn’t say anything, he would wait for a few more minutes, and then he would move on to something related.

And even if she didn’t want to talk about it, maybe she should. Hermione opened her mouth, and it all fell out, everything about finding out about her parents returning to England. And that they probably weren’t memory charmed. And that she failed again to do what she thought needed to be done to keep them safe.

“What do you think the nightmare means?” he asked when she finally wound down.

“Possibly that I’m worried about my parents’ safety or that I’m worried about their reaction to me when I get in touch with them?” Hermione looked down.

“Are you planning to do that?”

“I have their new address, and I was thinking about going to Birmingham today,” she said. “With Harry.”

While he didn’t say anything, Dr. Cameron looked a little dubious about that.

“What?” Hermione asked. “I should see them.”

“Are you ready to see them? Quite a bit has happened to you in the last few weeks,” Dr. Cameron pointed out. “Do you want to add their reaction to that?”

Hermione thought about it. A lot had happened recently. “Not all of that has been bad,” Hermione replied. “I mean, the whole thing with Theo and the Dagwood-Granger inheritance were both good things.”

“Both were,” Dr. Cameron agreed. “Each of those separate events would be a lot for anyone to take in. Do you want to add more to that?”

He wasn’t wrong. She had not had time to even think about what Theo was going to mean in her life. And even if she was thrilled with having him, she still didn’t know him well or trust him completely. It wasn’t like it was with Harry or Ron, despite the connection she felt to him through their shared family magic. And he was her mother’s first cousin. Hermione wondered how Theo would react to that. Or how her mother would.

Or how either of her parents was going to take what she’d done to them, which looking back on it now, wasn’t something she probably should have done at all. If she had been thinking more clearly at the time, she should have discussed the problem with them. But she hadn’t been sure they would understand. She had acted without even considering their reactions or that there might have been other options.

“I guess I should think about how they might feel about all of it, too.” Hermione looked down.

“How do you feel about it now, after the fact?” Dr. Cameron asked.

“I probably could have handled it better,” Hermione admitted. “Memory charming them took away all of their choices. But at the time, I wasn’t sure I could convince them of the danger or the fact that I had no choice about being involved with it.”

“What other choices could you have made?”

“I did not feel like I had the time to argue about it,” Hermione said. “Looking back on it, I don’t think I made the right decision. I acted too quickly, I think. But I was about to go on the run with Harry and Ron, and I probably wasn’t thinking as clearly as I should have been.”

“It was a dangerous and frightening time for everyone,” Dr. Cameron pointed out. “You were too young to be taking on the responsibilities that were dumped on you and your friends.”

Hermione knew that. “At the time, it felt like we had no choice. Dumbledore had left it all to Harry. And he needed Ron and me to help him. As it was, the odds were stacked against us,” Hermione said quietly. They had been given an impossible task and been expected to deal with it. And they had. But victory had come at a cost that they were all now paying.

“That is very true. In so many ways,” Dr. Cameron said. “How do you feel now?”

“Right this second,” Hermione asked and glanced at Dr. Cameron. He nodded. She drew in a breath. “I feel like I can’t deal with anything else.” And Merlin, she could not believe she’d said that out loud. “I feel like I have so much to do right now that I will never get it all done.”

“What else do you have to do?” Dr. Cameron asked.

“I have that article to write –”

Dr. Cameron raised an eyebrow at her. “Which article? You haven’t mentioned that before.”

“The one about Wizarding Culture and the fact that Muggleborns and Muggle-raised don’t know anything about how to act or how to dress or any of the history they need to be able to live in this society. And there is virtually no way for them to learn because if you don’t know something, you don’t even know how to ask.” Hermione sighed. “Narcissa Malfoy suggested it as a way to get the information to the people who need it.”

“Do you believe you’ll be able to get that published?” Dr. Cameron sounded doubtful.

“I think that will be easier than it sounds,” Hermione said. “The Dagwood-Granger estate owns about fifteen percent of The Daily Prophet. And the Nott estate also owns about that much.”

Dr. Cameron rarely showed much emotion, but he smiled at that. “I think that will be enough to convince them.”

“I’m sure. I just need to write it,” Hermione said. “Along with everything else.”

“You have a lot going on right now,” Dr. Cameron agreed. “Perhaps you can wait on some of those tasks?”

Hermione shook her head. “Staying busy is better than sitting at the Burrow and spending my days stewing about what went wrong in the war.”

“As I said, you might consider that being too busy could have the same effect as not having enough to do would.”

Dr. Cameron wasn’t wrong.

*****

Harry stood up when Hermione came out of the castle and headed towards him. “Are you all right, Hermione?”

She nodded and let out a sigh as she came to stand next to him. “I don’t think I’m up to going to Birmingham today,” she said quickly before she could change her mind.

“All right,” Harry said. “Do you want to go back to the Burrow?”

“No. I’m not sure what I want to do. Maybe we should just go have lunch on the Alley.”

“We could do that.” Harry held out his hand for Hermione to precede him. “I saw Theo as he was leaving.”

“I guess he told you I saw him, too. He invited me to dinner tonight.”

“Me, too.”

Hermione wasn’t very surprised by that. Harry and Theo seemed to get along well, which was good since both of them would be a part of her life from now on. “Are you going?”

“Of course,” Harry said. “He seems nice enough.” He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “I don’t completely trust him yet, but –”

“It might happen?” Hermione agreed. “I feel the same way. Like maybe he would be a good friend aside from being related to me.”

Harry nodded and then surprisingly blushed. “There is something about him that I find…” he trailed off. “Something.”

Well, that was interesting, wasn’t it? Hermione thought. “He is so formal all the time, and also so polite and just a hint of warmth with that.”

“Like he can’t quite trust us either, even though clearly he wants to.” There was a little smile on Harry’s face that she didn’t know what to make of, but maybe it was a good thing.

*****

Chapter 9

Nott Hall

That Evening

Theo was standing by the floo when Harry followed Hermione through to Nott Hall. He fell flat on his arse as he tried to step out. Hermione looked down at him and shook her head slightly.

“I swear,” Harry said, frowning. “You have to be born to this to get it right half the time. I always fall.”

“Welcome to Nott Hall, such that it is,” Theo said and held out his hand to help Harry to his feet.

Harry glanced up at Theo and took his hand. “Thanks, mate.”

“We should not have you lounging on the floor like that,” Theo said with a laugh, and let go of Harry’s hand.

Harry smiled at that, looking at Theo, and Theo looked back. They both seemed to pause for a second and then stepped back. Weirdly, Harry noticed the way the corners of Theo’s eyes crinkled when he smiled and that his eyes were deep brown. He shook it off. Wondering where that came from.

“I am glad you both could come tonight,” Theo said, after clearing his throat and seeming a little surprised or maybe amused by something. He glanced back at Harry. “I think it might be possible that you are correct about the floo –”

Hermione seemed to pause for a second and then smiled. “Except I have no problems remaining on my feet as I step out.”

“I’m just klutzy, I guess. I never land on my feet,” Harry said, holding out a hand. “And I am always covered in dust.

Theo cleared his throat again and pulled his wand, but kept it down. “If I may?”

For one second, Harry had to think about that, but then somehow, he knew it was okay. “Sure.”

With a wave of Theo’s wand, the dust was gone from Harry’s robes. And they looked at each other again.

“Thanks,” Harry said, not sure what just happened. But something did.

“Would you like a tour of the hall?” Theo asked, glancing at Hermione as well.

“You don’t care for it,” Hermione asked as they moved out of the floo room towards the hall.

“I have a lot of bad memories associated with this place,” Theo said. “But it is soaked in my family’s magic, and I would lessen that if I were not to live here as the Lord of the House.”

“I did not realize that. Will I have to live in the Dagwood-Granger Manor?” Hermione asked, sounding a little worried about that.

Harry made a mental note to ask her about it later. He was getting better at remembering things to ask, too.

“Have you been there yet?” Theo asked.

“No. I haven’t had time. But I do hope to visit it soon — though I’m not sure how to get there.” Hermione’s brow creased as she frowned.

They followed Theo into a great hall, which was kind of like a smaller version of Hogwarts Great Hall.

The room had tall ceilings and carpets on the floor. At one end, there was a long, rough-hewn wooden table with high-backed chairs around it. At the other there were furniture groups around the fireplaces. There were two or three of those. On one of the walls were huge tapestries.

“Wow,” Harry said and whistled. “This is kind of amazing. Reminds me of the Great Hall at Hogwarts.”

“Me too,” Hermione agreed.

“It was the original main hall of the manor when it was still called Nott Keep. Everything else has been built around this hall, but it remains as the center of the Manor,” Theo said. “There are smaller, more formal dining rooms, and other living spaces, but this is what was left after I had the elves tear out the entire first floor.”

“You said this morning they were redecorating,” Harry said. “I guess I was expecting to hear about new furniture and painting the walls, which is what I have been trying to do with Grimmauld Place. But the idea of tearing down some of the walls appeals to me. Truthfully, it’s a rabbit warren of small rooms and closets that don’t serve any purpose. It would be nice to have a more open design.”

“I can help you with that,” Theo said. “It was quite cathartic. This room was several smaller rooms when I started.”

“I will take you up on that. Thanks,” Harry said and smiled at him. “I don’t have the bad memories associated with it, but I feel like it’s so small and dark and unfriendly.”

Jobaba popped into the room. “Dinner is ready, Lord Nott.”

“Thank you,” Theo said, turning to them. “We’ll eat in the least formal of the dining rooms.”

“How many do you have here?” Hermione asked.

“Counting the long table over there, which I plan to replace with a smaller one in the same design, there are three. And three different libraries as well,” Theo said. “One that is just dedicated to potions, one that is more generic with fiction and nonfiction and regular magical subjects, and the last that is magical theory and history.”

“And you didn’t lead with that,” Harry said with a laugh and a glance at Hermione. “Grimmauld Place has two. The regular one and a potions library near the potions lab in the basement.”

Hermione’s eyes lit. “I would love to look through all of that.” She glanced at Harry. “I didn’t know about the potions library at Grimmauld Place.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged. But after dinner,” Theo said. “We should get to dinner before Jobaba comes back and scolds us.”

*****

Just as they were sitting down, the floo sounded, and Theo looked up, startled. But she and Harry were on their feet, their wands drawn, before either of them thought about it.

“There are very few people who can floo here unannounced,” Theo said, also standing, and looking towards the door. A moment later, Draco Malfoy appeared in the doorway, his mouth dropped open as he took in Hermione and Harry standing at the table with their wands out.

Well, that was unexpected.

“Excuse me, Lord Nott,” Malfoy said with a slight bow towards Theo. “I thought you said you had no plans for dinner tonight. I see I was incorrect. Lord Potter-Black.” He nodded towards Harry. And then looked at her. “Miss Dagwood-Granger-Nott.”

“Why did you call him Lord Nott, when he’s your best friend?” Harry blurted out. “Is that how it’s done? Even with a friend?”

Malfoy tipped his head to one side and regarded Harry for a moment. “Yes. That is how it is done. Even among friends of long-standing.”

“I guess we haven’t gotten to that in our lessons with your mum,” Hermione said.

“I guess not,” Malfoy agreed. “Are my mother’s lessons helping?”

“They are very informative,” Hermione said. “But it begs the question of why it has taken this long for anyone on your side to give us this information.”

“I do not have an answer to that,” Malfoy said. “I assume that it was kept from Muggleborns and Muggle-raised students on purpose to exacerbate the situation.”

“You know,” Harry said, thoughtfully. “I doubt that this was done by one person. I mean, you can blame Dumbledore for taking those classes out of the school, but really, if the –” He paused and glanced at Theo and then Malfoy, “If the magical society itself wanted those classes gone, then that must have played into it.”

“The Ministry, at least,” Hermione agreed. “This was a concerted effort to deny Muggleborns the knowledge of how to be part of Wizarding society.”

For a moment, Malfoy looked surprised. But then he nodded. “It had already been arranged by the time our generation was starting at Hogwarts. It was our parents and their parents who facilitated this.”

“That resonates as true with me,” Theo said. “Of course, my father was part of what should have been my grandparents’ generation. He was quite a bit older than my mother.”

Theo glanced at her and then nodded towards Malfoy. She nodded back.

“Draco, why don’t you join us. Jobaba was just about to serve dinner, and if we make him wait any longer, I think he will be very unhappy.”

Jobaba popped in with a platter of what looked like roast chicken, potatoes, and vegetables. “That is completely untrue, Lord Nott.” He set the platter down. “Eat before it gets cold.” He popped back out again.

*****

After Dinner

“You know, Theo,” Harry said, smirking at him after Theo had sent Hermione upstairs to the magical theory library with Draco.

“Do I know what, Harry?” Theo asked, smiling at him. For whatever reason, he found Harry’s company relaxing. It felt good to be around him. There were few enough people who he could say that about.

“You were pretty obvious about sending them off together. Are you playing matchmaker?”

“I am not,” Theo said. “But I think Draco might like a chance to get to know Hermione. Do you have an objection to that?”

“Oh, no, mate,” Harry said. “I do not get an opinion on who Hermione dates. Ron learned the hard way on that one in fourth year.”

“Right. She went with Viktor Krum to the Yule Ball,” Theo remembered. “Does she still see him?”

“I think they were just friends then, and probably still are now,” Harry guessed. “But again, not my worry.”

“So, yes, I was giving Draco an opportunity,” Theo said. “What he does with it is on him, not me.”

“What about you?” Harry asked, looking right at him.

There was a part of him that wanted to play coy and ask what about him, but he knew, and he thought that Harry did too. “I do not have any idea how this works in the Muggle world.”

“Well, as just about everyone has pointed out, Hermione and I are not in the Muggle world anymore,” Harry said. “Though in the Muggle world, what you might be thinking about isn’t done out in the open. I mean, two men together.”

Theo was shocked by that, but he wasn’t going to criticize it. “I am going to assume that someone told you that it works differently here.” And probably Harry had no idea how it works here, either. “We can court each other just like any other couple would.”

“How would that work?” Harry asked. And stood, he came around the table and held out a hand to Theo.

That was a surprise, but gamely, Theo stood and, with his heart pounding hard, took Harry’s hand. “Do you feel it?”

Harry blinked and looked surprised. “Is it real? I thought I might have been making it up in my own head.”

“No, it is very real,” Theo said, and it occurred to him that Harry might not know what it was. “It is a magical connection, a resonance, which can happen between two magical people who are compatible, magically. It is something most people hope for when they are looking for, well, a mate. It is also the precursor for a magical union.”

“We haven’t gotten to this in our lessons yet.” Harry bit his lip, looking pleased and worried at the same time.

“It does not have to mean anything, or it can, if you would want it to.” Theo did not feel like he was explaining this very well. “Draco recognized why I sent them upstairs. I had hoped that you would, too.”

“I do.” Harry kind of smiled at what he had said. “I just don’t know any of the rules for it. And I’m likely going to do it wrong.”

“There are not a lot of rules to worry about for this part, the connection. For a courtship, there are some, but a magical connection that just is,” Theo said. “I think that it is what is between you and me.”

“I’m good with that.” Harry leaned in, and Theo met him in a kiss. It was sweet, and soft, and pretty much what he had always thought a kiss should be. It made the blood in his veins sing in a way nothing else, no one else, ever had.

Oh, he liked this. When Harry pulled back, Theo followed and pressed his mouth back to Harry’s.

“I’ve never kissed another bloke before, and that was better than all of the other kisses I’ve ever had,” Harry said with a laugh. “Put together.”

“I shall definitely take that as a compliment.” Theo could not help smiling widely at that. “But I should point out that was the first real kiss I have ever had.”

Harry blinked at that. “Really?”

“I spent my childhood in fear of my father. After I got to school, there was no one I could trust beyond Draco, and when we were twelve, we kissed once. He told me even if he favored wizards — which he did not think he did — he thought of me as his brother. I did not disagree with him on that. So, that was not going to work.” Theo sighed. “After I was marked, I could not stand the thought of anyone touching me.”

“Should I not have done that?” Harry asked, looking concerned.

“I will add, until now,” Theo said, and he put his hand on Harry’s upper arm and drew him closer again.

Harry looked down. “There was Ginny in sixth year. We kissed and did a few other things, but I was too distracted by everything else that was happening during that year to give it or her much thought.”

“I had heard you broke up with her.” Theo looked at him. “Was that incorrect?”

“I did break up with her right before we went on the run. And I was afraid this summer that she might want to get back together,” Harry said. “I realized that I didn’t want that to happen. But she surprised me and told me she was dating Dean again and wanted to keep doing that. Also.” He looked up, and his face was a little pink. “She told me I favored Wizards, too.”

“You did not realize that? “Theo laughed. He couldn’t help it.

“I kind of knew. I always thought there was something between Draco and me. But that could have been anything. And I wasn’t really attracted to him like that. But I’ve noticed you since I first saw you at the Wizengamot when we were both there.”

Theo could not help the smile that formed on his face. “What did you notice?”

“Your hair,” Harry said and reached out to move a lock off his forehead. “I didn’t really acknowledge how cute you were in any kind of serious way until you came in to meet Hermione at the bank.” Harry’s cheeks were pink again, and he shrugged. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Theo could not help himself when he leaned in and kissed him again. He loved the feel of Harry’s lips on his. But it was too soon for more than this. When the kiss ended, he stepped back. “I would like to take you out to dinner. Just you and me.”

“I would like that too,” Harry said. “I’m going to need to tell Hermione about this.”

“That’s all right. I did not tell Draco, but I think he knew,” Theo said. “I hope that we can all become friends.”

“I think that’s likely. You’re my best friend’s cousin. That makes you family to me, too. And depending on how the rest of this works out, maybe more than that.” Harry seemed pleased with the idea.

Merlin knew, Theo was. “Draco is my best friend.”

Harry cleared his throat. “I know. And I can’t promise to be friends with him, but maybe we can get to a truce.”

“I would hope so,” Theo said. “I think that he understands now that what happened was not your fault.”

“What did I do?” Harry asked, sounding a little uneasy. “It was the refusing the handshake, wasn’t it?

“That started everything on the wrong foot,” Theo agreed. “I am going to guess that Narcissa didn’t tell you that it was a grave insult to refuse a wizard’s hand.”

“No. Not yet, we’ve only had broad lessons on things. Like dressing right,” Harry said, and patted his suit and robe. “I much prefer Muggle jeans and trainers to most of this.”

“I have no comment on Muggle jeans, having never worn them.”

“You’d probably look good in them,” Harry said, looking him up and down. “We should get you a pair.”

And Theo was very much afraid he was blushing. He cleared his throat. “So, are you willing to attempt a courtship with me? We should go out in public and be seen together. Since neither of us has family, we can make it up as we go. The idea is that we’re working toward marriage.”

Harry blinked at him. “I’m not ready to get married yet.”

“Of course not,” Theo said. “Courtships take a year at the very least. Also, I have another year of school left and then starting on a career or apprenticeship.”

“Any idea what you’d like to do?” Harry asked.

“Not a clue,” Theo said. “Do you?”

“I didn’t think I’d survive to get to this point. Now, I have a lot of options and no idea what I’d like. I do know I do not want to be an Auror,” Harry said with some finality. “I guess I’ll have to be a grown-up and figure it out this coming year. I am going back to Hogwarts, too.

Theo pushed his hair away from his face. “I don’t feel very grown-up. But I also don’t feel young anymore, either. Not after everything that’s happened.”

“Yeah, you got that right, mate,” Harry said. “None of us got much of a childhood.”

“Maybe the rest of our lives will make up for that.” Theo was not sure he believed that. He did want to believe it was possible.

*****

The Library

A Few Minutes Later

“What just happened?” Hermione demanded as they came into the library upstairs. She ignored the pull of the books, turning to look at Malfoy instead. This was more important. “Something happened, and that was why he sent us up here. So that he could be alone with Harry.”

Malfoy glanced at her, surprise plain on his face. “How do you not know?” he asked and then closed his eyes and sighed. “Merlin. Of course, you do not know. And Potter probably does not either. I hope Theo thinks to explain it to him.”

“Know what?” Hermione was losing patience with this. “If you don’t tell me, I’m going back down there to put a stop to whatever Theo thinks he’s going to do to Harry.”

“I am sure that you know by now that Theo would not do anything unkind to anyone.” Malfoy glared at her. “He is a good sort.”

Yes, at this point, she did realize that about Theo. “Be that as it may,” Hermione said evenly. “You seem to know what is going on, and you have five seconds to tell me before I’m out of that door.”

Malfoy let out a long sigh. “I think we just witnessed a magical connection happen between them. It probably started before I barged in for dinner. It should have been when they met, but it can grow as well. I have no idea how to explain what it is, except a magical spark between two people. It can mean anything or nothing, or it could lead to something very special between the right two people.”

Oh, that was so not what she was expecting him to say. “A magical connection? I think I need a better explanation than that,” she said, folding her arms over her chest and glaring back at Malfoy.

“I do not have an explanation better than what I just gave you. It is not something that you choose. It just happens when you meet someone or become friendly with them. Or even when you do not like someone.” Malfoy looked down and pulled on the cuff of his shirt, then smoothed his robe over it. “I would have said that Potter and I had something like that, because of our rivalry. But I am not inclined towards wizards, so we might have gotten to be friends, but it would not have gone further than that.”

Well, she had always thought there might be something between Harry and Malfoy. They spent too much time being obsessed with each other at school. But that still didn’t really explain anything. “What does it mean for Harry and Theo?”

“I could not venture a guess as to what they might want to do with it. But if it were me, and I were so inclined, I would pursue it. They could make a great match. Though between them, they would need at least three heirs,” Draco said with a laugh.

“How are they going to manage that?” Hermione asked. Because she literally had no idea about how it would work. “I’m going to assume that adoption is out.” Once again, she was thinking in Muggle terms. The truth was, she had no idea how the wizarding world felt about same sex couples adopting children.

“They could and probably would adopt,” Malfoy said, seeming to know what she was thinking. “There is a blood magic ritual that makes any child you choose your child by blood. The child, no matter who it is or how they came to be, will be yours. And if you were a Pureblood, the child would be too.”

Hermione opened her mouth and then closed it. Apparently, in this area, the wizarding world was further along with equal rights than the Muggle world. “Aren’t blood magic rituals banned?”

“Well, not like you’re thinking,” Malfoy said. “Most wizarding families use some types of blood rituals for powering their wards, or blood adoption, or any number of other rituals that are generally considered harmless.”

“I see. So, back to my original question, how does this work? Harry and Theo had met several times already. We had dinner with him after I found out I was his cousin.”

“But this is the first time you have been invited to his home,” Malfoy guessed. “I am going to guess that it has been brewing between them.”

Hermione nodded. Harry hadn’t said a word about it, but he wouldn’t unless she asked. And this was the first time she’d heard of it. “Is there somewhere I can read about this?”

Malfoy shook his head. “Not that I am aware of. There wouldn’t be articles in the paper about it since it is one of those things that is commonly known. And you learn about it as a child in the magical world. Everyone knows about it. Your friend Weasley would know.”

“So, this is something else I have no way of knowing about it, and neither does Harry. So, another thing to add to the article.” There were so many things at this point that she wasn’t sure how she would get them all into one article. Maybe she should do a series. Hermione would think about that after the first one came out.

“If you do not mind my asking, what article are you talking about?”

“I am going to write an article for The Daily Prophet, talking about how Muggleborns are set up to fail –”

“What do you mean by that?” Malfoy asked, and there was an edge to his tone.

Which was probably what she was going to be dealing with when a Pureblood read the article or heard about it. “It was your mother’s idea,” Hermione pointed out. “She and I have discussed it more than once.” She looked at Malfoy. “Muggleborns come into this world at eleven years old. We have grown up in Muggle society, and that is all we know. We are not given any instructions on how to act or how to dress, or what Wizarding culture is like at all.”

“I know that now,” Malfoy conceded. “And I wish someone had told me that when I was eleven.”

“Exactly. You had expectations, and I had expectations, and neither of us could possibly have met each other’s expectations. And so, just like with everything else here, we are left to flounder about, and given the situation at school, we learned nothing of wizarding culture. And when it is supposed to become our culture after we graduate from Hogwarts, we are still abiding by the Muggle rules of society, never realizing that the wizarding world is very different. And many of us see the problems in Wizarding society and have something to say about it. But without a way to change it.”

Malfoy nodded. “It is hard for any eleven-year-old even to comprehend that.”

“If we are told before we get on the train for the first time that we are going into a different culture. That there are different rules of behavior, maybe we might at least try to find out something about it. But most don’t because they don’t know.”

“I understand that now,” Malfoy said. “Do you think that you will even be able to get something like that published? The Daily Prophet is the mouthpiece for the Ministry, and something with that kind of information, especially coming from you, is not going to be on their agenda.”

“Your mother already told me that, and that Barnabas Cuffe is all but an unmarked Death Eater,” Hermione said.

“She has you well informed,” Malfoy said. “This type of article has to be ministry-sanctioned, or it would never be allowed to happen at all. And that includes the current minister.”

While Hermione didn’t know him well, Kingsley Shacklebolt was supposed to be one of Dumbledore’s people. And maybe Dumbledore wasn’t as pro-Muggleborn as he was made out to be. At one time, she would never have believed that possible about him, but now, she had no illusions left about anyone.

“According to everything I’ve read, the Minister for Magic doesn’t actually have that much power traditionally,” Hermione said. “The Wizengamot is where the laws are created.”

“That is quite true, but most ministers think they are in charge, and the Wizengamot has ceded some of its power to the office over the years.”

“That needs to change,” Hermione said. “Going back to why The Prophet will publish the article, the Dagwood-Granger estate owns about fifteen percent of the Prophet.”

“And I think Theo owns about another fifteen percent. I own, or will own once I claim the title, about ten percent.” Malfoy paused. “I believe that the Black Family owns a decent portion of it as well. Check with Potter-Black about it.”

“I’d say that’s more than enough to make sure it’s published,” Hermione said.

“Probably,” Malfoy agreed. “I’m sure you already know this, but when it is published, it is going to cause a huge scandal and make a lot of wizards very angry. No one is going to want to admit that any of this is true. They do not want to admit that they want things to stay the same as they have always been. Change, if it comes at all, will not come easily.”

“I plan to change it from within, as a member of this society. It is the only way it can happen at all,” Hermione said. “But I believe that it has to happen.”

“I do agree with that.”

“I’m surprised to hear you say that,” Hermione said. “I thought you were pretty invested in keeping things the way they were.”

“I think my mother has mentioned that we had no choice in the way we acted. You do what your patriarch tells you to do.” Malfoy didn’t meet her eyes. “I did what I had to so that my mother and I would survive.”

Hermione cocked her head to the side, considering what he’d just said. “What would he have done to you?” she asked and then realized how rude a question that was. “I’m sorry. That’s none of my business. I got the feeling from your mother that you and she were trapped.”

“We were. It is one of the problems of our culture. There is nowhere to go when things go wrong. And they did. Badly. Most of the people you knew at school didn’t have anything to say about what they were required to do.”

“I do know most of them were underage,” Hermione said, thoughtfully. “And not legally able to make those kinds of decisions.”

“And there was always someone watching you. Someone who would report back to your father or worse, the Dark Lord,” Malfoy said. “I knew exactly what I was supposed to do, and even at eleven, I hoped that I made myself look like I was in agreement. My actions needed to be what was expected, but hopefully not so well done that he would ask me to do anything too horrible. Ultimately, that didn’t work in my favor. But that is a story for another time.”

“You acted like that on purpose? So that we wouldn’t take you seriously?” Hermione was incredulous about that.

“I’m not cruel by nature, but I will do whatever it takes to keep myself and my mother safe from him. Right now, it does not matter anymore. I am done with my father. In a few weeks, I shall claim the title, and then he will not hurt either of us again.”

That was a surprise. But it also made sense. Malfoy always said he was Slytherin to his core, so he would know exactly what he needed to do, and he would have done it. “I don’t know what to say to that,” Hermione admitted.

“Hermione Granger speechless!” Malfoy laughed delightedly. “I am sure that does not happen often.”

“A lot more lately,” Hermione said. “I haven’t been coping well.” Though why she felt the need to share that particular bit of information, she didn’t know.

“I do not think any of us are. I have been speaking with Doctor Cameron three times a week this summer,” Malfoy said. “Do you know about him? I have found him to be extremely helpful.”

“In his own quiet way,” Hermione added. “I see him as well. I know Theo sees him, too.”

“Theo and I went together the first time. Giving each other support.”

“I understand you’re close to him.”

“He is my brother in all ways but blood. I have known him most of my life.” Malfoy sighed. “And if you think my father was difficult, Theo’s father was an order of magnitude worse. I think because he was older and had had the mark longer, so it had more time to corrupt him.”

Hermione nodded. Everything she’d read and heard about the dark mark said that it was corrosive to the person who had it. “He sounds like he was just dreadful.”

“That’s one way to put it,” Malfoy said with a slight shiver. And glanced around the room. “Do you want to look around?”

The subject change was startling, but she could understand that they were starting to get into very personal territory. “It’s why we came up here in the first place.”

*****

Malfoy and Hermione went back downstairs after a brief tour of the library. Hermione had enough time to make some notes of the titles she wanted to come back and look at. Right now, she wanted to find out what had happened between Theo and Harry.

And she didn’t want to think about Malfoy. She wasn’t stupid. She had felt something. But that didn’t mean she had to acknowledge it. Or act on it. Maybe he was attractive, and perhaps it was more so now that she knew a little about his background.

The rest of the evening was restrained, with Harry and Theo looking like they were trying not to smile at each other. And failing. Hermione couldn’t help but think it was very cute. And she barely restrained herself from asking about it until she and Harry were back at Grimmauld Place.

Finally, she turned to him. “Okay. What happened?”

Harry laughed. “It’s been killing you, hasn’t it?”

She glared at him. “You can tell me it’s none of my business.”

“As if that would satisfy you,” Harry said. “It’s complicated.” He went on to explain about the magical resonance that Draco had talked about. And then he looked right at her. “What about you?”

Part of her wanted to ask what he was even talking about, but it was clear he knew, too. “I’m not ready to think about that yet. But when I am, you will be the first to know.”

“So, I guess it’s done with Ron?”

For a second, she was quiet. “Yes. I’m not sure what it was or might have been, but after this past year, we both knew that it was not going to happen.”

“I get the feeling that he’s going through something different than we are,” Harry suggested with a frown.

“Yes. I think so.” And Hermione understood that. “It changed him, and not in the way it did us. But I think he’s processing it better than I am.”

“Is it that, or is he, or me, for that matter, just processing it differently?”

“I don’t know,” Hermione said. “I know it’s gotten a little better since I’ve been talking to Dr. Cameron about it, but it’s still not good. I need to do something about my parents.”

“I was surprised you didn’t want to go off today and find them,” Harry said. “Did he say something to you about doing it?”

“Just made me realize there is a lot on my plate right now, and I’m not sure I can cope with more,” Hermione said honestly.

“I understand that,” Harry agreed. “I’m doing okay. I think the nightmares have faded in the last week or two.”

“It had been a few days since my last one until last night,” Hermione said. “I don’t know what to do with it.”

“You do seem better, even than a week ago.”

“I don’t think it’s a linear process, or at least, that was what Dr. Cameron said.” Hermione sighed. “I do want to find my parents. Even if they don’t want to see me.”

“Whenever you’re ready, I’ll go with you. I think Theo might, too?”

“Thank you. I should get back to the Burrow.” Hermione stepped back and turned towards the floo room.

*****

Chapter 10

A Few Days Later

Hermione spent several days putting together the article, adding in everything she had learned about the fact that Muggleborns were set up to fail in Wizarding Society. She also spent some time finding out what statistics existed, and surprisingly, there was quite a bit of information on that. Finally, she sent it to Narcissa for comments and made the changes that Narcissa suggested. By mid-afternoon, she had a viable article. She called it: Set-up to Fail.

The following morning, she took it to The Daily Prophet offices herself to see what would happen. It wasn’t that she was expecting to be welcomed. She did dress correctly, and she was sure that got her foot in the door, so to speak.

At the reception desk, she politely asked to see the editor-in-chief.

Barnabas Cuffe, the editor-in-chief, read her article in front of her and then laughed. “We will never publish this tripe. Nobody wants to read this crap.” He looked right at her and sneered at her. “You might think that being a war hero or Harry Potter’s Muggleborn best friend gets you a pass here, but we have standards here. And this,” he flipped the parchment onto his desk. “Does not come close to meeting the Ministry’s standards for information.”

“Standards? Is that what you’re calling it?” Hermione smiled at him. She was more than prepared for his answer. “You print lies and misinformation all the time.”

He scoffed at her. “That’s not for you to say, girly. Go back to Hogwarts.” His tone was dismissive and final.

After what Hermione had been through in her life so far, his attempt at intimidation and harassment didn’t even register as anything other than trying to be insulting. “Well,” she began, meeting his eyes and making sure not to raise her voice. “I think that I might be more than just Harry Potter’s Muggleborn best friend.”

“Oh, and what else might you be?” he asked, so condescendingly that it was funny. Did he really think that attitude was going to work with her?

She met his eyes unblinking. He was not going to like what she had to say.

“Oh, I might have had a blood trace done at the bank a few weeks ago.” Hermione was pleased by his surprised expression. “Maybe I am the head of the Dagwood-Granger family. And in two weeks, when the Wizengamot meets, there is every chance to believe that I will be Lord Dagwood-Granger. But even if that does not come to pass, I still own, say, fifteen percent of The Daily Prophet right now.

“But that is not all, that same blood trace might also have shown that I have a close cousin in Theodore Nott, who also owns fifteen percent of The Daily Prophet. And before you even ask about my welcome there, he invited me into his family magic before I left the bank. So, as I said, I am quite a bit more than Lord Harry Potter-Black’s Muggleborn best friend.”

Hermione paused for a moment to let that sink in. “Lord Potter-Black has control of all of the Potter Family and Black Family holdings, which are another twenty percent of The Daily Prophet ownership.” And Malfoy had told her that they owned about ten percent more. And that was more than enough to remove Cuffe and put in someone else.

Cuffe had gone pale at this point and probably knew the same thing. “You would have to live to use it,” Cuffe muttered.

“Are you threatening me, old man?” she said through her gritted teeth as she stood, her wand appeared in her hand. “That would not be very smart of you. I am the reason Lord Potter-Black lived to destroy your Dark Lord.”

Cuffe glared at her, but it was clear he wasn’t going to say anything else.

“I suggest you run the article,” Hermione said, meeting his eyes again. “And I do mean on the front page.”

“The ministry would not approve. They could shut us down,” Cuffe choked out. And he was the one who looked intimidated now.

“I do not care in the slightest what the Ministry thinks,” Hermione said. “I expect to see that article in the Prophet tomorrow morning.” She took a step away and then turned back towards him. “And no, they cannot shut you down. Only the Wizengamot has that kind of power, and I am sure that would not happen without a special session.”

“I will see it published,” Cuffe said, clearly furious, but realizing that he had no choice.

“Exactly as I’ve written it,” Hermione said and moved towards the door of his office. “Good day to you, Mr. Cuffe.”

As she left, she looked around and caught sight of Rita Skeeter standing in the newsroom. Hermione ignored her. Maybe it was time for instituting journalistic standards for the truth, especially given what happened during the war.

*****

Diagon Alley

The Following Day

There was a low tone of something tense in the air as Hermione made her way out of the public floo and into Diagon Alley itself.

She was going to meet Narcissa for lunch at the restaurant where they had met before. The article was supposed to come out this morning, but she hadn’t checked before she left the Burrow to floo to the Leaky Caldron. After the confrontation with Cuffe yesterday, she had been left with a sour stomach and hadn’t been able to sleep at all last night. Well, she supposed insomnia might be better than a nightmare.

As she approached The Ashwood & Ivy, she was pulled into an alleyway, and she reacted without thinking. She drove her elbow into the wizard’s stomach as hard as she could and pulled away from him.

He was much taller than her, but thin and didn’t look that strong. “I am going to teach you some manners, mudblood,” he snarled as he reached for her again.

As his hands came around her, she brought her knee up into his groin and then drove her high heel into his foot. She pulled her wand and sent a slashing spell across his face.

“You bitch,” he yelled, still bent over from her knee. His raised voice was starting to attract some attention. “I’ll kill you for this.”

“You can try,” she said through her gritted teeth. And sent another slashing hex across his hand as he tried to raise his wand.

He screamed in pain and again tried to jump at her. She stepped back and hauled off and slugged him in the face. At least, he went down this time. She kicked him again for good measure. And then put two Incarcerous spells on him.

Just about then, the Aurors showed up. Late as always, Hermione thought.

Narcissa also arrived. “Hermione dear, are you all right?” she asked, taking Hermione’s arm.

“What happened here?” the Auror asked, looking at Hermione and then at the wizard at her feet.

“It’s quite clear he attacked me for some reason. You might check to see if he’s a Death Eater,” Hermione said, trying to keep her voice even.

“She attacked me for no reason at all. She’s a mudblood. I insist you arrest her,” the still unnamed wizard said.

“Your name?” the Auror asked her.

“Hermione Dagwood-Granger,” Hermione said. “I’m the Head of the House of Dagwood-Granger. Who are you?”

“No, you are not, you mudblood bitch,” he snarled. “You’re a worthless piece of –”

“It’s so easy to prove that there is no reason for me to lie about it,” Hermione said, getting tired of this. “Now, I have lunch plans. You should really arrest him and let me get back to my day.”

Narcissa cleared her throat. “Shall we go, my dear?” Narcissa’s voice was a perfect blend of boredom and superciliousness. “Do arrest him. It is such bad manners to attack anyone in broad daylight on the Alley. What is this world coming to?”

Hermione followed Narcissa out of the alley they had been standing in. “Do you still wish to have lunch?”

“I have to admit I’m upset by what just happened,” Hermione said, calming a little. “Could I really have been arrested for defending myself?”

“If you were a Muggleborn with no connections and with no one to side with you, it is possible,” Narcissa admitted. “Monroe Travers is the youngest son of the Travers family and will likely get away with most things. However, you have more influence and power than he does at this point.”

“I find that appalling,” Hermione said. “And that is one more thing that will have to change.”

“I do agree with you,” Narcissa said. “Perhaps a visit to the Minister might be in order.”

That actually sounded like a good idea to Hermione. She really wanted to hear what he’d have to say about this. “He’s going to reiterate what you just said, will he not?”

“I believe he is as invested in maintaining the status quo as any ministry official,” Narcissa agreed.

“He fought for the light, for Dumbledore,” Hermione said. “But I’m going to assume that didn’t mean anything.”

“You would be correct,” Narcissa replied evenly. “He might not want the wholesale slaughter of Muggles and Muggleborns, but he certainly does not want them to be integrated into society, either.”

“I am coming to understand what I’m up against.” Hermione sighed. It was so much worse than she’d thought. She wondered what families like the Weasleys thought about all of this. And she didn’t for one moment doubt they knew about it. At some point, she’d have to talk to them about it. But not right now.

*****

Surprisingly, they were shown into the Minister’s office without a long wait. Narcissa swept in behind Hermione, and Minister Shacklebolt stood. “Lady Malfoy, Miss Granger, to what do I owe this surprise visit?” he asked cordially.

“I’m sure you’ve heard by now that I was attacked in Diagon Alley this morning when I was on my way to lunch with Lady Malfoy,” Hermione replied just as cordially.

“I had heard something of the sort,” Shacklebolt said. “I had hoped it was just a rumor, and not true.”

“Oh, it is true, Minister,” Hermione replied. “I fought off the attacker, and I believe he was arrested.”

“I am sure it was just a misunderstanding,” Shacklebolt said in a slightly firmer tone. “No harm done.”

“There most certainly was harm done, Minister. He attacked me –”

“And he said you attacked him. There were no witnesses to the attack, so it is your word against his,” Shacklebolt said. “I’m sorry to say that because you are a Muggleborn and he is a Pureblood, you are more likely to be arrested than he is.”

“I’m sorry, what did you just say?” Hermione asked. “You are telling me that because I am Muggleborn, I do not have the right to defend myself against an attack?”

“I’m sorry, Miss Granger –”

Hermione breathed out sharply, “I want it clarified that being Muggleborn means that your word is worth less than a Pureblood’s word? Is that what you’re telling me? That I can be attacked in full daylight in Diagon Alley, and I have no recourse. And if I defend myself, I can be arrested?”

“I would not put it like that,” Shacklebolt said.

“Then how would you put it, sir. Please be precise because I think that the Muggleborns in the world need to know what they are up against.” Hermione was hanging on to her temper with all her control. She could not lose it now.

Shacklebolt folded his arms over his chest and glared at her. His veneer of civility was starting to wear thin. “I think you’ve done enough damage on that front already.”

“Oh, I plan to do much more than that,” Hermione promised him.

“Why,” he asked. “You have a good deal. As a war hero, you could do anything you want. Why rock the boat in this way?”

“You are joking,” Hermione hissed. “No. I can see that you’re not. I didn’t fight a war against one tyrant, to allow the same kind of prejudice to continue to run rampant in my world –”

“This is not your world, girl,” Shacklebolt spat out, clearly losing his temper. “It does not belong to you. You are at best a guest here –”

“Oh, it does belong to me, Minister. More than you can imagine. I fought and bled for this world, and before you say anything else, let me explain to you that I know exactly what is going on here.”

“You do not have the faintest idea,” Shacklebolt retorted. “You are a Muggleborn, and you will never have the power to effect any kind of change. The Prophet is going to retract your article in full, and you’re going to issue an apology. Or I will see you in Azkaban –”

Hermione laughed nastily. “I invite you to try, Minister. But there are a few salient facts you’re missing here. The most important being that The Daily Prophet needs Wizengamot approval to do a retraction of that nature. And I can assure you that it will not happen.”

Shacklebolt sneered at her. “And how do you think you will manage that. Even as a war hero and Harry Potter’s best friend, you do not have that kind of power.”

She looked right into his eyes, her chin thrust forward. “I am Head of the House of Dagwood-Granger. I am cousin and heir to the House of Nott. And my best friend is Lord Harry Potter-Black. Try to put me in jail, and I will see a vote of no confidence held. And if I can’t do it, I’m sure my cousin or my friends can.” She watched Shacklebolt glance at Narcissa, who smiled sweetly at him.

“How do you think I forced Cuffe to print the article in the first place? Between all of us, we own more than fifty percent of The Daily Prophet.”

Shacklebolt looked outraged, but before he could say anything else, an owl swooped in and landed in front of Kingsley and another in front of Narcissa.

“Well, apparently, the Ministry has called an emergency meeting of the Wizengamot. Since Lucius is in prison, I am his proxy,” Narcissa said, smiling. “Shall we go, my dear?”

“Of course, Lady Malfoy. I am ready to take my seat on the Wizengamot.”

“Do not forget the blood trace documents, my dear,” Narcissa said.

“I carry them with me.” Hermione held up her tiny, beaded purse. She turned back to Shacklebolt. “Good day to you, Minister. It was lovely to speak to you.”

He just scowled at her as she and Narcissa left the office.

*****

The Wizengamot

Later That Afternoon

Hermione had never been in any of the courtrooms in the Ministry and certainly never in the Wizengamot chamber. There were tiers in the Wizengamot that rose up from the center of the circular room. Hermione stood with Draco at the back of the last tier. They would be called forward to make their case. She had her blood trace in her hand.

“Please take your seats,” Benedict Robertson, the Clerk of the Court, said, and looked at the witch who sat at the center podium. She nodded at him. He gave everyone a few more minutes and then cleared his throat. “This emergency session of the Wizengamot will be called to order. The honorable Donatella Burke, chief witch, presiding.”

Hermione knew the Burke name. One of the sacred twenty-eight. A neutral family.

Madam Burke touched her wand to the podium, and it rang twice. “This session of the Wizengamot will come to order,” she said, and then glanced at the people down on the floor. “As is our way, the first thing we will do is welcome our new members.”

“Why would you do that for an emergency session?” someone rudely shouted down.

Hermione turned to look up at them, and it looked like someone from the Travers seat. So, probably the father of whoever attacked her today.

“Order,” Burke called and then glanced at the offending wizard. “You will not speak out of turn, or I will have you ejected from this session.”

“I am Lord Octavio Travers. May I speak?” Travers asked.

“No, you may not,” Burke said firmly. “There is no questioning of the protocols here. It has been established for many years. We always welcome our new members to have the fullest possible quorum.”

Travers fell silent. From his red face and clenched hands, it was apparent to Hermione that he was furious with the proceedings.

Too bad, Hermione thought.

“You may proceed, Mr. Robertson,” Burke said.

Robertson moved down to the bottom tier and waved his wand. “We call upon the Spirit of the Wizengamot to hear the petitions of the new members.”

“I am the Spirit of Magic, come forth and speak,” A specter that did not look like any wizard said in a masculine voice.

Hermione had read that this was what was left of the great wizard Merlin. But she wasn’t sure she really believed that. It didn’t look remotely human to her.

Draco looked at her and nodded. She stepped forward. “I claim the Dagwood-Granger seat. I had a blood trace done at the bank. I’m the only heir.” She held out the document, and it unfurled and floated towards the Spirit of the Wizengamot.

As it reached out to take it, Travers stood again. “I object to this travesty.”

The specter straightened and seemed to glare at Travers. Well, if a translucent specter made of wisps of what looked mostly like smoke could glare. “You are not of the Dagwood-Granger line. You may not object.”

“She’s a damned mudblood. She has no right to be here,” he snarled.

Several people whispered loudly about how rude he was being.

“According to this document,” the specter said. “She has every right. You are out of order. Be silent, or I will expel you.”

“No,” Travers yelled and opened his mouth to spew something else, but before he could say anything, he disappeared from the room.

“No one may challenge my edicts in the Wizengamot. I seat those who are worthy. And Hermione Dagwood-Granger-Nott is worthy. You may take your seat, Lord Dagwood-Granger.” Hermione’s robes changed into the purple robes of the Wizengamot. She nodded and moved to take her seat.

Malfoy stepped up as she sat down. “I claim the Malfoy seat as my father’s heir and because he has been convicted of a capital offense and is in Azkaban.”

“Your claim is legitimate,” the specter said. His robes changed color. “You may take your seat.”

Theo stood up from his chair. “I wish to announce that I have designated Hermione Dagwood-Granger-Nott as my heir until such time as I have legitimate children of my own.”

“It is noted,” the specter said. And then disappeared.

“We will now commence with the emergency session,” Burke said. “As I understand it, the Ministry would like to have an article retracted from The Daily Prophet as well as an apology from the author. Clerk, if you would read the article.”

They read her article in open court. To Hermione, it still sounded very well written and thought out to her, as it was when she’d written it. Unfortunately, she could see that some of the wizards and witches were angry about it. Not all of them, though. And certainly not even most of them.

“These are lies and half-truths,” one of the ministry officials said as soon as the clerk finished reading. He didn’t bother to give his name.

“You will need to specifically say which part is a lie and which part is a half-truth in your opinion,” Burke said. “I found the article well-reasoned, and I would like the Ministry to explain why they feel they can ask that it be retracted. Or is it that they do not like what is being said?”

“We feel that is an unfair portrayal of how Muggleborns are treated,” Shacklebolt said. “There are plenty of Muggleborns in the ministry.”

“Lord Dagwood-Granger?”

“There are nearly three thousand ministry employees,” Hermione started. “Of those, approximately 1.7 percent are Muggleborn, and none of them have a position higher than entry level. No matter how long they have worked for the Ministry. Of the approximately one hundred apprenticeships that are awarded every year. Zero percent, as in none at all, in the last ten years, have gone to Muggleborn applicants, despite the fact that there are Muggleborns who have gotten as many as ten N.E.W.T.S. with outstandings, that have been passed over for those with fewer N.E.W.T.S. for those same apprenticeships.” Hermione took a breath. “In the last ten years, there has never been a single Muggleborn who got as far as the final three for any apprenticeship. These are facts. It is public data that anyone can access.”

“That cannot be true,” Shacklebolt said, but it was clear he knew it was.

“I am very much afraid it is true,” Hermione countered. “You know these facts very well. And you want to keep it a secret so that things will not change. Well, as I’ve said, I fought a war so that things that gave rise to Tom Riddle, also known as Voldemort, would change. So that my children will not have to go to war as teenagers, the way I did and my whole generation in Magical Britain did.

“And that’s not counting the previous generation. Do you realize that a full fifty percent of the previous generation is already dead? They should be in their forties to sixties now. And there aren’t going to be enough senior wizards and witches to keep this world going,” Hermione pointed out and looked up at the shocked faces around her. “Another question perhaps?”

“I call the vote,” Neville Longbottom said.

“I second that,” Harry said.

“The vote has been called,” Burke announced. “All in favor of retracting the article by Hermione Dagwood-Granger-Nott signify by raising your wand.”

There were only a handful of wands raised.

“Opposed?”

There were many more than fifty percent. Hermione breathed out.

“The motion fails. The article will remain in The Daily Prophet,” Burke said. “I understand The Prophet sold out three separate printings of the article. So even if it were retracted, so many people have read it, it would not matter much.”

“If there is nothing else. I motion we adjourn until the regular session in two weeks,” Theo said.

“I second that,” Draco agreed.

And the session was closed. And Hermione closed her eyes. And when she opened them, Kingsley Shacklebolt met her eyes, and he was livid. Well, there was nothing she could do about it now. She’d told him, and he hadn’t believed her. Now he would have to live with it.

*****

After The Session Ended

Theo rose from his seat and met Harry as he was coming down the stairs after the session ended. He pulled Harry to the side so as not to interrupt the flow of people leaving. Harry smiled at him for a moment, reaching out to take his hand. Then he frowned as he saw Theo’s expression.

“What’s wrong?” Harry asked.

Before Harry could drop his hand, Theo caught it and held it, giving him a slight smile. “I think Octavio Travers is going to be a problem for Hermione. His son, Monroe, tried to do her some unspecified harm today, and he was just expelled from the Wizengamot by the Spirit of Magic. He will never be allowed back in.”

Harry’s eyes widened. “I didn’t realize it was permanent.”

“There is a reason you would never argue with The Spirit.”

“So, the guy who was expelled when he tried to take the Parkinson title can never enter the room again, either?” Harry asked thoughtfully.

“Never. And apparently, according to Pansy, he’s not only not a Parkinson, but he now has no name at all. That is much worse.”

“I have no idea what that means,” Harry said, sounding confused.

“It means that he will never be accepted anywhere in the wizarding world. He is literally no one.” Theo was unsure that Harry would understand what he had said.

And Harry shook his head. “I still don’t understand what that means.”

Theo paused for a moment to gather his thoughts on how to explain. “He will never be able to do anything more than the most menial work because you need a surname to apply for something,” Theo said.

“So, no name literally means no surname. Can’t he use the one from the man who impregnated his mother?”

“Not without permission.”

“That seems harsh,” Harry said. “That wasn’t his fault.”

“If he hadn’t tried to take the Parkinson title, then he could have continued to use the Parkinson name. However, because he brought an illegitimate claim, which he must have known was unlikely to be accepted. He was too far out from the main line, even if the Parkinson title was patriarchal. When he tried to force the issue, which had already been decided, that was how he was left without a name. He will not ever be able to use the Parkinson name, either.”

“I guess that’s fair,” Harry said, but it did not sound like he completely approved.

“Fair or not, it is the way the wizarding world works.”

“Speaking of, what are we going to do about Travers and Hermione?”

“We should have lunch with her and talk about it,” Theo suggested.

As he said that, Hermione stepped up to them. “Are you all right?” she asked.

“More like, are you okay?” Harry asked. “I was surprised by Kingsley’s attitude.”

“I haven’t had time to tell you about my previous conversation with him,” Hermione said. By the time she was done telling him and Theo, the room had cleared out. “We should get going.”

“Yes,” Harry said, stepping back into the aisle and starting down the last few steps to the door.

Theo was not surprised by Shacklebolt’s attitude. “It is in his best interest for things to stay the same. Even though in the long run it will not be good for Wizarding society.”

“I understand that, but I’m just disappointed to hear it,” Harry said.

Hermione nodded. “I was shocked by it. You think someone who fought for the light would be more enlightened.”

“No, I would not think that at all,” Theo said, glancing around. “We should go to Nott Hall and discuss some security measures that we can put in place.”

“We were supposed to meet Ron for dinner,” Hermione mentioned, looking at Harry.

“We can ask him along, can’t we?” Harry said. “He should really meet you, Theo.”

“We did know each other at school,” Theo countered. “But give him the floo address to the hall, and I will let him through.

*****

Nott Hall

The three of them were waiting for Ron as he flooed in. Harry was surprised that he was wearing full robes just like they were. Actually, Harry was surprised that he’d come at all. But Ron had changed a lot since the end of the war.

Ron stepped out of the floo and landed perfectly on his feet, drew his wand, and cast the dust off his dark brown robes. He inclined his head slightly. “Lord Nott. Thank you for inviting me to your home.”

“You are welcome, Mr. Weasley,” Theo said, formally. “Please come in. We are happy to have you here.”

He turned to Harry. “Good to see you, Harry, Hermione.”

“What? I don’t get to be called Lord Potter-Black with all those good manners you’re showing off,” Harry complained with a smile.

Ron smiled back. “I can be informal with you and Hermione because you both are my best friends. I doubt Lord Nott will take offense.”

“Call me Theo,” Theo said.

“Ron, then,” he said.

“We should go into the sitting room, and I will ask Jobaba to make dinner.”

Jobaba popped in. “Dinner will be in thirty minutes!” He announced and popped out again.

Theo laughed. He held out his hand for them to follow him into the great room.

“This seems much more homey than it was when we were here a few days ago,” Harry commented.

“It is very nice,” Hermione said as Theo led them to one of the groupings around a fireplace. It was burning nicely despite it being summer.

“Thank you,” Theo said. “I find I like the feel of this room now that I’ve gotten new furniture and carpets. And Jobaba has added some of his many tapestries to the walls. He promises to make new ones, too. I like these very much. Honestly, I think he wants a new, larger loom.”

“I like them, too,” Harry said and smiled at Theo.

And that smile made Theo feel so warm inside. He had to look down to hide the blush that was forming on his cheeks. Maybe he could get a minute alone with Harry after dinner.

*****

They sat at the table in the great hall and made small talk during their meal. Ron cleared his throat when the plates and silverware disappeared. “Why are we here?” he asked, and he sounded surprisingly not irritated.

“So that we can talk about Hermione’s security. Theo said earlier that Travers was going to be a problem,” Harry said, looking at Hermione. He quickly explained what had happened today, including Travers, Kingsley, and the emergency session.

She scowled. “I don’t need to be protected –”

“Actually, you kind of do,” Harry said. And Ron and Theo nodded.

“If this were Harry, you’d be saying the same thing,” Ron pointed out. “I know it grates, but you got lucky with Monroe. He’s an idiot, too. Maybe one of us should come with you when you leave the Burrow?”

Her expression was mutinous. “I can take care of myself. And I proved it today.”

“No one doubts you’re the brains of our group,” Ron said. “And that you can fight, but at this point, you’re also rich and powerful, and someone smarter than Travers might see you as an easy mark.”

“He’s right, Hermione,” Harry said. “You might be able to take down one or even two wizards, but more than that…” He trailed off. He didn’t want to think about her up against more than one wizard. “If one of us were there, it would even out the fight.”

“I don’t like what you’re saying,” she said, but held up her hand. “Are you going to be available when I need to do something?”

“What is your schedule for tomorrow?” Theo asked.

“I see Dr. Cameron in the morning, and then I was going to go shopping on the Alley for Harry’s Birthday,” Hermione said, and glanced at him. “I guess I can floo into Hogwarts.”

“I would not mind waiting for you, and we could go shopping for Harry’s present together,” Theo smiled at her. “You could help me with that.”

Ron looked at Harry and then at Theo. “What did I miss?”

“Apparently, they have some kind of magical something between them. I didn’t get a good explanation from Malfoy on what it was,” Hermione said, and looked at Ron. “Do you know what it is?”

“Um…yes,” Ron said, and his ears were red. “Really?” he directed that towards Harry.

“So, I’ve been told. It’s something. I can feel it, especially when I’m with Theo,” Harry said, kind of expecting Ron to blow up despite what he said.

Instead, Ron just nodded. “Congrats, mate. If it is a magical resonance, then you might have something really nice between you and him.”

“I believe it to be one,” Theo added.

“I have no idea, but I’m going to take Theo’s word on it,” Harry agreed.

Once again, Ron had surprised him with his acceptance of it. “It’s something worth having, Mate.” Ron glanced at Theo. “You hurt him, and I’ll kill you.”

“Ron!” Hermione scolded him. “You can’t say something like that. He’s my cousin. I get to kill him if he hurts Harry.”

Harry was appalled by the whole conversation. “Neither of you gets to kill him. I like him. I think it’s time for both of you to go back to the Burrow and leave me alone with my boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?” Theo asked, looking like he was trying not to laugh at all of them.

“What would you call it?” Harry asked.

“I guess until it becomes something else, that term will suffice.” Theo finally did smile at him. And it made Harry’s heart squeeze a little.

Hermione stood. “We should be going. I’ll see you after my session tomorrow, Theo.” Then she smirked at them. “Have a good night.”

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Ron said with a laugh. “But really, I’d do anything, so that isn’t saying much.”

Harry laughed too, standing to hug Hermione good night. She hugged Theo as well. “Come on, Ron,” she said, walking toward the Floo room.

*****

As Hermione and Ron floo’d away, Theo cleared his throat and looked at Harry. “So, boyfriend?”

Harry nodded. “Yep. We should make out on the sofa,” he suggested, wiggling his eyebrows at Theo.

“Should we?” Theo asked, unable to hold back a smile. So much about Harry made him smile. He was still waiting for the other shoe to drop. This should not be so easy.

“Definitely,” Harry said. “Unless you don’t want to.” Now Harry sounded a little tentative.

That would not do. Theo took his hand and led him back to the great room. “I want to. I like kissing you.”

“It did seem to me that you might,” Harry said, and drew him slowly closer. “But I’m never sure about anything like this.”

Part of Theo wanted to ask what part was bothering him, but most of him just wanted to kiss Harry for a while. He sat down on the sofa and patted the seat next to him. After Harry sat down, he turned to him and slid an arm around Harry’s back, leaning in to press his mouth against his.

Harry turned towards him, his arms moving around Theo. And Merlin, it felt so good to hold Harry. There were so few times in his life that someone touched him with such care and tenderness. At the urging of Harry’s tongue, he opened his mouth and closed his eyes, floating on the sensations.

When he opened his eyes, he was lying stretched out on the sofa, with Harry on top of him, pressing into him. Theo pressed up against him, too. That felt fantastic, better than anything he’d ever done for himself.

Should they even be doing this? Theo couldn’t concentrate long enough to form an answer. He tightened his arms around Harry and continued to kiss and press into the delicious pleasure. It didn’t take long, and they were both moaning softly, panting against each other’s mouths as the desire built to a breaking point. Pleasure rushed through him, and he groaned as he came harder than he ever had.

As Theo opened his eyes, he saw Harry smiling down at him. He leaned down to kiss Theo a few more times, softly. “That was…”

“Yeah, it was,” Theo agreed. “We have gotten about ten steps ahead of our courtship.”

“Is that going to be a problem for you?” Harry asked, sounding tentative again.

“Not for me, no. There are supposed to be a lot of rules for this, but I think maybe you and I can find our own way.” Theo wanted a courtship, but it didn’t have to be one that followed all the Pureblood rules.

“We should probably talk about it,” Harry said.

“You sound reluctant,” Theo noted. And he was too. He just wanted to bask in the pleasure of Harry’s company and his touch.

“No. I want to do whatever you want with this courtship thing. As you know, I have no experience with it.”

“I only know what I have been taught. And that was by my father, which makes it suspect.” Theo shuddered. “I want it to work out. We feel compatible.”

“I think so, too,” Harry agreed. “But now, I’m kind of a mess, and probably need to go home and clean up.”

Theo laughed and pushed Harry to sit up. “You do know you are a wizard and can, in fact, clean yourself up, or I can do it, and it will all go magically away.”

“I hadn’t thought about that.” Harry smiled and pulled his wand, casting a quick Tergeo to himself and then raising an eyebrow at Theo. “Should I?”

He held out his hands. “Please.”

“Now that I’m clean again,” Harry said, standing and pulling Theo to his feet. “What would you like to do?”

“Maybe just go to bed,” Theo suggested. “It is late, and there are things to do tomorrow.”

“Like buying me a birthday present with Hermione?”

“That. Definitely,” Theo agreed. “But do you want to stay over?”

Harry nodded, leaning in to kiss him again. “I could be convinced.”

“I would like it if you did,” Theo said simply. He wanted to sleep next to Harry.

*****

Chapter 11

The Burrow

Early The Following Morning

Hermione crept down the stairs, hoping not to wake anyone. She’d remembered her silencing charm when she went to bed, so she hadn’t woken anyone with her screams. Well, except herself. Now, there was no way she was going back to sleep. There was too much to think about now that the mire in her mind had dissipated somewhat. It was still there, especially after a nightmare, but finally, she could get around it.

And now, there was just so much to do.

To her surprise, Ron was already down in the kitchen, nursing what looked like a cup of tea.

“You all right, Hermione?” Ron asked as she came into the room. His expression was concerned.

She thought about trying to lie, but instead just shrugged. “I had another nightmare.”

“Me, too.”

“I didn’t think you got that many,” Hermione said. “Or they had tapered off.”

“I usually don’t,” Ron replied. “But tonight…”

“Yeah. Do you want to talk about it?”

Ron shook his head and then sighed. “It was about leaving you and Harry in the Forest of Dean. Then, coming back to find you both were dead. And it was my fault.”

“You should tell Dr. Cameron about that,” Hermione said. She knew Ron felt guilty about it, and she had forgiven him for it. She understood a lot better now than she had at the time. In that moment, when everything was terrible, that had been one more awful thing. Now, she could see that Ron hadn’t been able to cope, and the Horcrux had made things all the worse.

“I have. And I know that was the turning point for me. I was a child, and I needed to be an adult. And I wasn’t ready to do that. By the time I made it back to you both, I had matured some, but…” Ron shrugged. “It was a little too late.”

She couldn’t argue with that. “I think we all grow up at our own rate, and despite what had happened at school. We were not prepared to go on the run as we did. None of us survived that very well.”

“I don’t think we should have had to do it,” Ron said. “It was too much to ask of children.”

“It was too much to ask of anyone. But we had no choice. It was a fight for survival,” Hermione pointed out. It was just too much.

“I know, and then we survived, and now, we all have to deal with the outcome,” Ron said. “In ways I wasn’t expecting.”

“We are going to have to work to rebuild this society, our society. I expected things to change, and they haven’t.”

“What’s worse is that there are so many people who I thought were on the side of the light, who aren’t,” Ron agreed and sighed.

They sat in silence for a while, and then Hermione glanced at him. “What do you think about Harry and Theo. I would have said that would have really annoyed you.”

“You are not wrong about that. I would have been like that before. I would have been jealous of what he’d found,” Ron said. “Now, I’m just happy for him. He’s found someone who is going to be very compatible with him. And I think that’s going to be a comfort to him with everything that happened.”

“It seems like a lot happened to Theo, too.” Hermione knew a little about Theo’s relationship with his father. And it sounded just awful. “Maybe they’ll be a comfort to each other, maybe they can help each other cope.”

“I hope so,” Ron agreed. “I guess we’ll see.”

“I guess so,” she said. And they sat in silence for a while longer.

*****

Nott Hall

Later That Morning

Harry’s eyes blinked open, and he didn’t immediately know where he was. His heart started to pound. It took a second more to realize he was in a soft bed, with someone next to him. Actually, someone holding onto him in a very nice way. He breathed in Theo’s scent and relaxed a little.

“Are you all right?” Theo whispered and kissed his ear.

Harry laughed. “Yeah, I’m good.” He turned and put his arms around Theo, leaning in to kiss him softly. “Good morning.”

“And to you.” Theo smiled against his mouth. “We should get up.”

“Not right this second,” Harry said, tightening his arms. “I can think of better things to do. If you want to, that is.”

Theo’s smile got wider, and he rolled on top of Harry. “What would that be?”

They were both still in their pajamas. Theo had transfigured the pants to be shorter for Harry. Harry pressed his hips up into Theo. “Do you want to try it with our clothes off?”

Theo paused for a second and then nodded. “Yes. That would be very nice, I think.”

“I think so too,” Harry agreed and reached up to unbutton the pajama top Theo was wearing at the same time Theo reached down to do the same for Harry.

Afterward, as they were catching their breath, Theo looked at him. “I never expected this kind of thing to be so easy and so much fun.”

“What did you think it would be?” Harry asked, surprised. Even with other people, he had liked the kissing and touching parts, both doing it and having it done to him. Of course, it wasn’t nearly as nice as it was with Theo. But it had been nice.

“I thought it would be…okay. Probably not a chore, but it wasn’t something I was looking forward to trying. I suspect that I have had no good role models and had no way of knowing it would be this enjoyable,” Theo said.

“It’s pretty nice most of the time,” Harry said. “Of course, with you, it’s even nicer.”

Theo made an agreeable sound and cuddled Harry closer. “I could get used to this.”

“Me, too.” Harry wondered when the next shoe was going to drop. Nothing ever went smoothly in his life. But maybe Theo would be there to help with that.

*****

Hogwarts

Hermione closed the door to Dr. Cameron’s office and took a breath. Even under the best of circumstances, the sessions always left her a little drained and a little raw. Today, after talking about another nightmare, she felt…a little more raw than usual.

While she could see that the sessions had helped her tremendously to come to terms with what happened in the last few years, and she also had been told that it wasn’t a linear process, she knew there would be times when things got bad again. And she did understand, but it hurt worse when it happened now. Although maybe she was getting better at dealing with it.

She straightened up and took a deep breath. There were other things to do today. Before today’s session, she sent a note to Theo to let him know she was going to talk to McGonagall before she met him. He said he would meet her outside the front doors when she was done.

The Gargoyle was still not back on its pedestal, so she rode the stairs up to the headmistress’ office and knocked lightly on the door. She’d sent a quick note to McGonagall as well, asking to talk to her.

McGonagall called, “Come in, dear.”

And Hermione pushed open the door and entered the office. It looked more occupied than when she’d seen it earlier in the summer.

“What can I do for you, Lord Dagwood-Granger?” McGonagall asked.

“You know about that?” Hermione said, stupidly. “I guess everyone knows everything now?”

“Yes. I’m sure they do,” McGonagall said tartly. “How are you?”

“You can call me Hermione,” she said. “I wanted to let you know what’s going on.” She explained about the article, the hearing, and Kingsley Shacklebolt’s response.

“I’m sure it has been mentioned to you that the ministry has no reason to change. The last few generations of this type of suppression of information have worked well for them. The ministers have gained much more power than they had. And they like that,” McGonagall said. “And yes, Kingsley isn’t a blood supremacist, but he is a Pureblood with a stake in keeping things as they have always been.”

“I’m very disappointed by that,” Hermione said.

“The question would be what are you willing to do about it?” McGonagall said it like it was a challenge.

“I want to see Muggleborns educated and integrated into Wizarding society.” She looked at McGonagall. “I have the backing and the power.”

“You certainly do, indeed,” McGonagall said. “But you do not have all of the power you need. You’ll need to convince people that the way it is now is not how it can stay permanently.”

“And many wizards are very happy to have it stay as it has always been, despite the inherent dangers to our society,” Hermione finished.

“Quite true, my dear,” McGonagall said. “Unfortunately. Was there something else?”

“What are the chances of getting a Wizarding Culture class for first years on the fall curriculum?” Hermione asked baldly.

“I would say it was fifty-fifty right now,” McGonagall said, sounding a little unhappy about that. “I am planning to take the proposal, which has already been written, to the Hogwarts’ Board of Governors. But it is one of many things I am planning to change. So, we shall see. If not this year, then next fall for certain.”

“Thank you,” Hermione said, pleased and not surprised that McGonagall was already working on it. “I am glad to hear it’s in the works.”

McGonagall nodded. “I am aware of what needs to be done. And have advocated for the return of the class, since the ministry decided that they were going to make it difficult for Muggleborns and Muggle-raised children.”

After a moment or two of silence, Hermione cleared her throat. “I wanted to also ask you about the timing of the ritual cleansing and what is involved that I need to know.”

“As I told you earlier, it will be in about two weeks, during the new moon,” McGonagall said. “I’ll give you explicit instructions when you are there. If you’d like to look up the rituals to familiarize yourself with them, they are traditional cleansing and healing rituals.”

“Where can I find the information on them. Would the library have it?” Hermione asked. “I still haven’t been to the Dagwood-Granger Manor. I guess that library might have something too.”

“You should go to the Dagwood-Granger Manor and claim it as your own,” McGonagall said. “Has no one told you to do that yet?”

Hermione shook her head. “Is it important?”

“Yes. You should do it as soon as you can,” McGonagall said.

“I’ll see if I can stop by today.” Hermione heard the urgency in the request. “I’m not sure how to find it.”

“Call for one of the Dagwood-Granger house elves.”

That seemed so simple, and it was something she would not have thought about doing. “Thank you. I’m meeting Theo downstairs. He’s going to go with me to Diagon Alley this afternoon. Maybe we can go to the manor as well.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” McGonagall agreed.

*****

As the front doors opened, Theo looked up and watched as Hermione came out. She looked like she had not slept at all last night.

“Are you all right, Hermione?” he asked, standing.

She nodded, but he was not convinced. Although he did know better than to try to force her to talk about anything.

“How are you doing?” she asked.

“I am well, thank you,” he replied, and smiled, hoping not to blush. “How did it go?”

“Some of the time it’s harder than others. I am tired and had a nightmare last night,” Hermione said with a sigh. “I feel like it’s two steps forward and then one step back sometimes.”

“I am sure that Doctor Cameron has told you this is not a linear process.” Theo certainly had that conversation with Cameron before about himself.

“Of course,” she agreed. “But I find it difficult at times.”

“I do as well,” he admitted. “It took us a long time to get to the states we were in, so it is logical that it would take some time to correct it.”

She smiled at him. “That is very true.”

“Be patient.” Theo looked at her. “Did you speak with McGonagall?”

“I did. She told me I should visit the Dagwood-Granger property. She also said that I could do that by calling for one of the Dagwood-Granger elves to take me to the manor. But it occurs to me, wouldn’t I need to know their names?” Hermione asked.

“No, you can just say something like Dagwood-Granger elves come to me. And they would all be compelled to come.”

“What about just one of them?” she asked.

“I would say that then,” Theo said.

“Would the Dagwood-Granger Head elf come to me, please?” she said. And before she got all the words out, there was a loud pop, and an elf appeared. He was nicely dressed in faded dark pants and a white shirt with a faded waistcoat. He was thin and waiflike looking as he stood before her.

“I am Stanton, head elf for the Dagwood-Granger Manor,” he said. “We felt a new Lord and have been waiting for your call.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I knew I needed to see the Manor, but it’s been difficult. How many of you are there?”

“There are five of us left in the Manor.”

“Were there more?” Hermione asked, looking a little worried.

“Three were released to the previous Lord’s other relations. They are gone now. The relations, not the elves. They remain to take care of the properties. All were waiting for a new Lord.”

“Oh,” Hermione said, and she glanced at Theo.

“And the elves?” Theo asked. “What is their status?”

“Right now, they are taking care of the other properties, but now that we have a new Lord, they would like to return home.”

“Do they need explicit permission from me to return?” Hermione asked.

“They do,” Stanton said.

“Then they may, if they wish to,” Hermione said. “And how is your hobby fund? Do I need to do anything to transfer money into it?”

Stanton shook his head. “No, Lord Dagwood-Granger. Lord Hector saw to that. It kept us healthy for a long time because there is so little ambient magic in the houses.”

“All right,” Hermione said. “I’m Muggleborn. What else do I need to know?”

“You need to go to the wards and claim them as your own,” Stanton said. “And then push your magic into the house and the wards, and that will power them and give us the magic we need.”

She looked at Theo again. “We should go do that now, I think.”

“Can you take my cousin and me to the house?” Hermione held out her hand, and Stanton took it. Theo took her other hand and felt the familiar squeeze of House Elve’s apparition.

*****

They arrived at the gate of a large manor house. Stanton popped away and came back with a jewel-encrusted silver knife. “Cut your palm and press your blood into the post of the gate. Then, tell the house you are the new lord and demand entry.”

Hermione looked at Theo, who nodded.

She cut her palm with the knife and smeared her blood on the post of the gate. “I am Hermione Dagwood-Granger Nott. I am the lord of this house. I demand entry. The gate swung open almost before she had all the words out. She turned and smiled at Stanton. “Thank you,” she said.

As she came to the door, four other elves popped into the courtyard and lined up. They were all nicely dressed. The two female elves wore long black skirts, sturdy laced-up boots, and white aprons over their skirts. The two males were dressed similarly to Stanton.

Stanton introduced them, Milly, the cook. Delly, the housekeeper, Barbus the groundskeeper, and Yogie the second groundskeeper and handyman (elf?). All seemed quite pleased that she was there. Stanton took them on a tour of the house and grounds, but there was too much to take in at one time. She promised she’d be back before she went to school in the fall.

“We should look at the ward book,” Theo suggested. “And I think we won’t get out of here without lunch.”

“That is true,” Stanton said. “You should have a meal here before you leave.”

Hermione wasn’t really hungry, but she supposed that she should eat something. “That sounds good.”

After the tour, they sat down at a nicely set table. The dining room was large and formal with dark wood furniture, but the chairs were high-backed and surprisingly comfortable.

Hermione took a tentative bite of what was in front of her. And it was delicious. “Wow, this is good,” she said, taking a more enthusiastic bite of her food.

“I’m sure they are trying to please you,” Theo said. “My first few meals after I became presumptive lord were like this. And I wasn’t hungry, either.”

She looked at him. “Yeah. What do I need to do to give them the magic they need to survive? They look, I don’t know, faded. I’m not ready to live here yet, but I want to do what I can for them. And the others that will come back here.”

“Just as Stanton told you, press your magic into the wards, and around into the walls and the floors. I am not sure I can explain it better than that because it is another of those things that we grow up knowing how to do. And unfortunately, it is not something I can help you do here. You can do it for me at Nott Hall because you are of Nott blood.”

Hermione nodded. “I understand.” She put her hand on the table and pressed in with her magic. And she felt the house respond positively. “I guess I should ask for the ward book and see who has access to the house.”

“That part is easy,” Theo said. “Call Stanton, and he can bring it to you.”

Stanton popped in with the book. “You are the only one who can touch it,” he said as he levitated it down onto the table. The quill is inside the book.”

Tentatively, Hermione reached out for it. And it felt welcoming to her. She opened it, and there were no names listed. “There’s no one here.”

“All who had access are gone now. You will need to grant access to those you wish to allow here.”

Hermione picked up the quill and wrote: Harry Potter-Black. Ronald Weasley. And the rest of the Weasley family that she knew. Oh, and Theodore Nott. She also added her parents’ names. And that brought a pang. She needed to go find them. Soon.

She closed her eyes for a second and sighed. All right. One thing at a time.

They walked through the huge house again. When they were done, they had tea in the sitting room.

She looked at Theo and took a sip of her tea. It was perfect. “What is going on with you and Harry?”

“I have been waiting for that question.” Theo set down his cup with a laugh. “It is exactly what we said it was, a magical resonance. I think we shall start formal courting at school since that needs to be done in public.”

“I don’t know anything about that. What is that going to entail?”

“Just being together in public. Society will see us together. There are certain things that need to happen. One of us will send the other a public notice, and then we shall both agree to it. Because we are adults, we will negotiate a contract ourselves.”

“I’ve heard that marriage contracts aren’t used –”

“Not the ones where a head of house would virtually sell their child to whomever he chose, no. But marriage contracts between two people set down the expectations, and that can be helpful when there are family fortunes involved.”

“That’s something I’m going to need to worry about, too,” Hermione said. “Though now that I’ve broken up with Ron, it won’t be for a while yet.”

“Are you sure about that?” Theo asked.

“I am so not ready to go there yet,” Hermione said, looking at him. “I can’t even wrap my head around that possibility.”

“It will wait for you to be ready.”

“If I ever get to that point.” Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head. “There’s a lot of enmity between us. And it can’t just be pushed under the rug because there might be something else as well.”

“He did tell you that he was required to act a certain way, and that he was watched.”

“That’s the only reason I might consider it at all. I am surprised at how bad it was for both of you,” she said. “I can’t imagine living that way.”

Theo looked down. “It was not easy. For either of us.”

“So, what are you thinking of getting Harry for his birthday?” Hermione wanted to be off the subject of her and Malfoy and what might or might not be between them. She just couldn’t deal with that right now. “I usually get him a book or two that I think he might find interesting or useful.”

“I was thinking of that as well, maybe something from the Nott Library about our culture. Or even something about magical marriages.”

“Those sound very useful to me. I’ve noticed it is difficult to find any information about wizarding culture without exact titles. It’s like it isn’t published.”

“It’s not. Not here. You can find books about British Magical Culture in other countries that are not controlled by the Ministry.”

“Of course,” Hermione murmured. Damn them. “I should have thought of that. I have a magical bookstore in Paris that I order from regularly. I’ll see what they have.”

Theo nodded. “I wanted to ask you again about moving into Nott Hall?”

“I don’t know. Shouldn’t I move in here?” Hermione waved a hand around. “I feel like I should, but I don’t want to be alone here.”

“I can understand that, which is why I want you to move in.”

“What about Harry? It seems like he spends a lot of time there. I would not want to be in the way,” Hermione pointed out. She actually thought that would be a good thing for both of them. Harry had seemed a little more settled in the last week since all of this happened. That was good.

“I definitely want him there,” Theo said, and then glanced at her. “But you are my family. It would be nice to have you there, too. It is not as if there is not plenty of space, so that you could have some privacy if you wanted.”

“Let me think about it some more. I am very tempted. I feel like I’ve imposed on the Weasleys’ hospitality enough this summer. They are dealing with a lot, too.” Hermione sighed. “I’d like my own room and some privacy, too. I have been sharing with Ginny. But she and Ron both seem like they are dealing with things better than I am.”

“The offer is there when you are ready to take it.”

“Maybe for a week or two before we go back to school.”

“That sounds like a good idea. And maybe for the Yule holiday as well,” Theo said.

“Yes, definitely.” Hermione nodded. “Now, back to Harry. We should have a party for him.”

“I thought the Weasleys did that,” Theo commented.

“I think we should do something and invite Molly. She would no doubt enjoy having a party for Harry, but I think it would be a lot to ask right now. It is Harry’s eighteenth birthday.”

“I could have a party at Nott Hall. It is nearly finished. And it will be by next weekend. I can also ask Narcissa to help with it. She is great at planning parties.”

“She said something about an end-of-summer party that would introduce Harry and me to society.”

“I think this will be less formal, but some of the same people will be there.” Theo looked at her. “I am not sure you know this, but you will be very popular.”

Yes. Hermione knew that, between the fortunes, her connection to Theo, and the fact that her children would be Purebloods, she would be inundated with requests of all kinds. “I know. I am not interested. I want to continue my education and make our world a better place for Muggleborns to live in. I’m going to get as much information out as I can and as fast as I can.”

Theo just nodded. “We should finish our tea and get on to the alley. I am meeting Harry for dinner tonight. Would you like to join us?”

“Don’t you want to be alone with him?” Hermione asked, surprised.

“I do. And we shall be alone after dinner. But we should all be seen in public together as much as possible before we return to school.”

“Sure. I do like being out and about more than I did even a few weeks ago.” Hermione hoped that meant she really was getting better.

*****

That Evening

Harry was relaxed as they left the restaurant after dinner. Theo always seemed to know the best places to eat. “How do you even hear about all these new places?” Harry asked as he held the door for both Theo and Hermione.

“I just hear from friends when someone is doing something new in town,” Theo said with a smile at Harry.

“Well, this was excellent,” Hermione said, and before either of them could say anything else, they were confronted with three wizards with their wands drawn.

Harry had his wand in his hand before they said a word. God, this was ridiculous that they thought they could get away with this in the middle of Diagon Alley.

“Ormand,” Theo said. “What do you think you are doing?”

“I think it is obvious,” Ormand said with a snicker. “I’ll kill you, and I will claim the lordship.”

“You were disowned,” Theo pointed out. “And you were never in line for it anyway. The lordship will go into abeyance if you kill me. You shall never get it.”

“Then, I will just kill you and take my chances,” Ormand said and raised his wand. “My friends will help.”

He sounded drunk to Harry. “Expelliarmus!” Harry cast before Ormand could even think about it. It knocked Ormand back, and Harry caught his wand. Then he put it in his pocket as Theo hit Ormand with a series of spells that pushed him back against the wall and then rendered him unconscious with a rope around his wrists.

Munroe Travers cast “Avada Kedavra,” at Hermione, but she ducked, and it hit the wall behind her.

“Confringo!” The unidentified wizard cast the spell at Hermione at the same time.

She sidestepped it, and it exploded part of the wall behind her. Harry caught a piece of the shrapnel in his shoulder and grunted, but he could still raise his wand to cast “Expelliarmus!” again at Munroe.

Hermione reached up and caught his wand, and broke it, causing Munroe to scream at her.

She just looked at him. “You expected me to let you attack me for a third time with this?” she asked, and then hit him with another chain of spells, and he was unconscious and wrapped in ropes. “That should hold him for a while.”

“Bombarda Maxima,” Theo cast at the third wizard. Who then hit the broken wall behind them and didn’t get up again. “Where are the Aurors?”

“We’re here,” someone said behind them.

“What happened here?” the second one asked.

“It took you long enough to get here,” Harry said. “People are attacked on the Alley, and you take your time?”

“Someone needed to report it,” the first Auror said.

“Right,” Hermione said. “What are your names?”

They looked startled by the question. “I’m John Dawlish,” The first Auror said. “What happened?”

“I’m Redmond Goldstien,” the second one said, looking at Hermione. “You’re Muggleborn, aren’t you?”

“She’s also Lord of the House of Dagwood-Granger,” Theo pointed out before anyone could say anything they would regret.

Both of the Aurors looked at her. “What happened?” Dawlish asked again.

“We were attacked by those three,” Hermione answered. “And I want them to be prosecuted this time, Munroe has attacked me twice in the last few days.”

“We can only arrest them,” Goldstien said. “We get no say in who is prosecuted.”

“Are you going to arrest them?” Theo asked. “They are all trussed up and ready to go.”

Goldstien and Dawlish looked at each other and then at the three unconscious wizards. “I guess we’ll take them back to the Ministry for questioning.

“And I think I need to get to St. Mungo’s,” Harry said as the pain in his shoulder made itself known and he leaned a little into Theo. He put a steadying arm around Harry’s waist.

Hermione looked at the two Aurors before they could leave. “I’d like to remind you that it’s also a crime to attack a lord in the street. And to wound one is a class two felony. There are three lords here who can and will testify before the Wizengamot. At least two of those wizards,” she said, pointing to the Travers and Theo’s relation. “Are not lords at all. In fact, Ormand has been disowned by the House of Nott, of which I am also a member.”

Both of the Aurors glanced at Theo, and he nodded. “First cousin,” he said with a smirk. “Hermione, we should get Harry to St. Mungo’s.”

Harry agreed with that sentiment. “Please.”

*****

Nott Hall

Later That Night

After the trip to St. Mungo’s, where Harry was patched up and sent on his way, they settled at the dining room table in the great room of Nott Hall. The roughhewn wooden chairs were surprisingly comfortable to sit in as they nibbled on a late-night dessert the elves had provided.

“I should get going,” Hermione said, not really wanting to leave, but it was getting late, and she needed to get back to the Burrow soon.

“You should stay tonight –”

“I have nothing with me to stay,” Hermione pointed out.

“Are you not a witch?” Theo asked. “I shall give you a pair of my pajamas, and you can transfigure them into anything else you would prefer to sleep in.”

That was true. And it was clear from both Harry and Theo’s expressions that they knew a dodge when they heard one.

Harry looked at her. “Why don’t you let Molly know that you’re staying, and then we can finally talk about what to do about my birthday next weekend?”

She nodded. “Let me just send her a note,” Hermione pulled a piece of parchment and a quill out of her beaded bag. She wrote a few lines saying she was staying at Nott Hall tonight. “Can you have someone just leave this for her on the kitchen table where she’ll see it?”

“Of course,” Theo said. “Jobaba?”

“I shall take the message myself,” he said as he took the note she was holding and popped back out. Less than a minute later, he was back. “She was still awake at the table, so I just gave her the note. Is there anything else?”

“Thank you,” Hermione said, smiling at him.

“No,” Theo said. “Thank you. Would you please make up a room on the family floor for Hermione?”

“Already done. Across from your room,” Jobaba said, nodding once, and popped out of the room.

For a while, no one said anything, and then Harry cleared his throat. “So, I know something is going on with my birthday next weekend, so what?”

Theo sighed and glanced at Hermione. “I am planning to have a party for you. I’ve also asked Narcissa Malfoy to plan it.”

Harry kind of winced. “Do I get any say in this?”

“Harry –”

“Hermione,” he said and gave her a disgruntled look. “I’d rather not have a big deal made of it.”

“It is already too late for that,” Theo said. “You are going to need to be introduced formally to society. With me giving you this party, it will allow that to happen in a controlled way.”

“Why does it matter?” he said, but the whine in his voice said he knew why.

“It does matter,” Theo assured him. “You accepted your lordships, and now you have a responsibility to see that they are executed properly. And that means working within the society and culture where you live.”

“I don’t see you rushing out –”

“I am, though,” Theo said. “I will do what is necessary to thwart those who would keep those in our society from reaching their full potential.”

“How are you going to do that?” Harry scoffed.

“We are going to use the power we have been given. All of us, you, me, Hermione, Draco –”

Harry snorted. “He is hardly someone who would –”

“You do not know him. And furthermore, I am not sure you know me either.” Theo sounded quite annoyed.

“I don’t know you that well,” Harry said, his tone a little more moderate. “I do know Malfoy. He –”

“Had a role to play and played it,” Hermione said. “And I suspect he played it so well that no one who didn’t know him well would have known it was a role.”

“What are you talking about?” Harry looked at her askance. “You can’t stand him.”

Hermione sighed. “I know. But when you and Theo were reacting to the resonance downstairs, Malfoy and I were talking upstairs.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I forgot to,” Hermione said with a huff. “I do that a lot, recently.”

“Okay, tell me what he said,” Harry demanded.

“That Malfoy acted the way he did, on purpose. He was watched most of the time and thought that being brash and ineffectual would limit the expectations for him from certain people.

“Is that true?” Harry said, directing his question to Theo.

“I believe it to be true. He is the consummate Slytherin. He could barely stand his father at eleven. By the time he was sixteen, Draco hated Lucius for what he had forced on him.”

“Where does that leave you?” Harry asked Hermione.

“I don’t know,” Hermione said. “I honestly don’t have a clue. But it leaves us, or at least Theo, with an ally.”

“I would say that Draco is quite committed to changing things. I would ask if the people who fought with you are also as committed?”

Harry looked at him. “Who do you mean specifically?”

“Longbottom, Weasley, Bones, McMillian, and Fenwick?”

“You know, I would have said that since they were all part of Dumbledore’s Army, they would all be on board with changing things,” Harry said. “But truthfully, I can’t say that about anyone other than Ron. Maybe Dean, since he was a Muggleborn facing the same things that Hermione did.”

“Neville is one of us,” Hermione insisted. She would not believe he would betray what they believed in.

“I would have said that about Kingsley Shacklebolt as well,” Harry pointed out.

Yeah, Hermione would have said that, too. God, not Neville. “We’ll need to talk to all of them. I assume they will be invited to Harry’s party.”

“Along with some of Draco and my Slytherin friends.”

“Which ones?” Hermione asked at the same time Harry did. “I am not going to deal well with Death Eaters.”

“You deal very well with me,” Theo pointed out. “But I am not friends with anyone who was a blood supremacist or a willing Death Eater.”

She conceded that point. “Still, who?”

Harry nodded.

“Besides Draco and Narcissa, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass and their mother, Millicent Bulstrode and her sister, Greg Goyle and his mother, probably Blasé Zabini and his mother — though I haven’t seen either of them all summer, Pansy and her mother, and maybe Tracy Davis and her parents. There might be a few others that Narcissa asked. She sent out the invitations.”

“None of them are too terrible,” Hermione admitted. “I think we can trust Narcissa’s judgment on who to invite.”

“I trust her. Also, most of the rest of the Death Eaters in our year are either dead or in prison,” Theo pointed out.

Hermione had nothing to say to that.

*****

 

 

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