Chapter 170

As for Dumbledore, the moment Fawkes brutally severed the bond it knocked the old man unconscious. The flash of the heat combusting and expanding the closest air around the bird, knocked the now unconscious man forward over the desk, bending at the waist; before the weight of his legs and hips, almost hanging off the side of the desk, dragged him slowly back until he collapsed in a heap behind.

The house elf that was standing invisibly in the corner over near the door leading back out into the classroom and watching all this unfold was instantly, though temporarily, blinded by the bright light and drying of his corneas and had to call for help over the bond to other elves to come help him. He was lucky he wasn't standing closer at the time. His blindness might have become permanent.

Once the elves collected their injured compatriot and rushed him off for treatment from healers of their own kind, one returned to take note of what happened.

Knowing the new Headmistress would not want anything touched, he gave a nod to himself and elf-popped to her office.

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―==(oIo)==―

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Marchbanks had only just returned to her own office - she had about the same distance as Dumbledore to travel, but she was about two thirds slower due to her need to use a cane, much shorter legs, and less spry nature - a house elf popped in.

"Yes?" she asked it.

"Lady Headmistress," it replied. "Bevvy must be tellings you old Perfesser Whiskers is... un-con-shus.

Cocking an eyebrow at the elf, she asked, "And, do you know how that happened?"

"Yes, Lady Headmistress," it replied with much sadness. "Firebirdy Fawksie did breaks his bond with Perfesser Whiskers. It be sad."

With both eyebrows now raised in surprise, she exclaimed, "Well, well! Old Fawkes finally had enough, did he? Well, it's about damned time!"

Looking back at the elf she said, "I do not want the room touched until I get down there and confirm things for myself. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Lady Headmistress," it replied. "All elveses know not to touch Perfesser Whiskerses office."

"Thank you. You have done well in letting me know immediately. You may go," she said, giving a little 'shoo' gesture with her cane tip.

As the elf popped away, she gave a little cackle to herself, turned around and exited the office again. She knew she need not hurry. After the severing of such a bond the old fool was going to be unconscious for hours, at least. Then, be bedridden for at least a day.

As the door closed behind her, the portrait of Headmaster Black laughed; loudly and gleefully.

From nearby, the portrait of Headmistress Mole scolded, "Really, Phinneas."

That had the other portraits begin discussing this new development.

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―==(oIo)==―

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Harry had run upstairs to bring his mirror down with him and sat at the table with it in the dinette alongside where Hermione remained waiting for him.

"Now that you're officially part of the House of Black, plus my betrothed, it now means you're allowed to know more of what I'm up to," he said by way of explanation for why he was making the call in front of her.

"I didn't know that would happen," she frowned.

"You weren't told because... let's face it... you're addicted to learning new information," he replied. "I didn't want the idea that you would learn about what I'm up to to be an influence on your decision. That would be me, playing on your desires. And that would have been manipulative."

"Hmmm..." she said, smirking at him a little. "And scaring Hell out of me about how a magical guardian could effectively 'sell' me, didn't?"

"That was not my call," he firmly replied with a frown. "I wanted you to make the decision on your own, decide you'd go through with it, go through with it, then we'd tell you. But your Dad didn't want to leave anything to chance."

"He was protecting me," she quietly said.

"I know," he said. "But, I still thought it was unfair."

She was a few long moments of deep in thought before she said, "He currently knows me better than you, Harry."

"I know," he replied. "But―"

"Harry," she said, getting him to focus on her more fully from where he had slightly looked away out the window. "He was right."

"Hermione," he said just as seriously back. "The scare would have only meant you had Sirius as your new magical guardian. It did not mean you needed to enter into the Betrothal Agreement."

She frowned and again thought for a few moments before she shook her head. "No. I've had all night to think about it, now. I even dreamed of it. I'd have delayed it with the excuse I needed more time. Then delayed, delayed and delayed more.

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