Chapter Thirteen - Rings and Stories

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to the proverbial Duchess of Magic, JK Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Warner Bros and some other high falutin' companies. No matter how much I whine about not owning anything related to the HP universe, other than a few fanfic plots, I do not profess to own - and would never dream of making any money off - JKR's wonderful world... Damn it!

A/N: As most already understand by now, I don't like the use of 'Author Notes' in chapters. However, I'm receiving way too much feedback from folks who seem unable to fathom that the letters 'AU' in the summary above means 'Alternative Universe'. They cannot seem to grasp it does not just apply to main characters, but can also apply to minors as well.

So: Yes, I'm aware I'm 'erroneously' portraying Ollie as being a year younger in this story than canon. That's because, in this story, he is. Yes, Hermione still seems to be way too respectful of authority in conflict with the evidence suggesting otherwise. It's called 'behavioral conditioning'. This Hermione's childhood wasn't as nice - bullying wise - as canon's Hermione.

Plus, I realise Daphne being attacked shocked a few of you. One even called it 'forced drama'. I did it for a number of reasons. One, I needed Daphne out of the way to progress the bond between Hermione and Harry on their own. Two, I needed Dumbledore to get the shock of having his 'you should forgive' attitude get a solid kick to the teeth, and for the Slytherins to know neither Dumbledore nor Snape could protect them from everything. Three, I needed Daphne to know - not just accept - that Harry and Hermione truly care for her. Plus a few other points the incident could assist with. So, it wasn't as forced as it appeared.

Finally, I apologise I'm unable to reply to each and every 'review'. My time is limited and I simply cannot afford to devote too much time to responding to everyone.

Chapter Thirteen - Rings and Stories

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

The next morning Harry was, again, having a very enjoyable teenage dream when he felt very slight repetitive movements coming from the witch in his arms. Not moving, even though 'he' was very interested and tucked between said witches legs, he wondered if Hermione was crying. However, her movements belied that.

With his left arm wrapped over her waist he could also feel the inside of her left forearm gently and repetitively rubbing on the back his own. Then she very softly moaned.

From there, it took him a few moments to realise what was going on; and it caused his breath to hitch in shock.

The sudden cessation of his breathing was enough to alert the girl to Harry being awake. And both lay frozen for a few moments.

'No,' he thought. 'This is natural; and she needs this. Merlin, I help myself often enough.'

Gently, so as not to cause the witch in his arms to panic, he began to breathe again. Then he bent his right arm around and lightly grasped her left breast, lightly tweaking the already erect nipple; and snuggled in closer.

Gently moving forward, he raised his head slightly and kissed her on the neck directly below her left ear, breathing on the same area of neck as he slowly pulled away and laid his head back on the pillow.

"It's alright," he whispered. "Please, Hermione. Keep going."

Hermione didn't move for a few long moments before she asked, "A-are you... sure? You're not... disgusted with me?"

With a smile in his voice, he replied, "No. It's natural. Just let me hold you in my arms while you allow yourself release."

Still, Hermione didn't move. So, Harry slipped his left arm out from under her arm and reached around it to lay his hand on hers, where it rested near the junction of her legs. Then he began to slowly move her fingers for her.

"Go on," he encouraged. "Think about my arms around you while you do."

When he felt her hand begin to move again, he pulled his own back and rested it on her hip.

Slowly, at first; then, with more intensity, she began to move. Once she was moving freely and without hesitation, Harry again moved to kiss her neck under her ear. "I love you," he breathed.

It did not take too long after that.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

Not too much later, Harry headed for the shower. He had to walk carefully because 'he' was still not behaving 'himself'.

He'd just entered the shower when he heard the door open behind him. Thinking Hermione had left something within the ensuite he was surprised when she followed him into the shower stall.

"Another first?" he asked with a smirk.

"One of many," she replied.

He was about to reach for the soap when she beat him to it. So, he ducked his head under the stream wetting his hair before reaching for the shampoo. But he didn't get the chance to even gloop some into his hands when he felt her hands on his back.

Thankfully, he was starting to settle down as Hermione, instead of using the soap on herself, started to lather Harry's back. "Ooh! That's nice," he said, putting the shampoo bottle back.

Instead of replying, Hermione worked quicker and with more confidence. It was if she was unsure whether he'd push her away when she first started, or not. Once she'd washed his back from the neck all the way down, 'He' had settled right down again.

After washing his calves, she commanded, "Turn around."

He turned around with a smirk and leaned his upper shoulders against the cold tile wall, while taking a good stance to maintain his balance. Hermione's movements were firm and vigorous so he had to 'brace' himself as she scrubbed.

First, she started at his neck and throat. Then she moved down to his upper chest and down each arm, front and back. Then down to his lower chest and upper abdomen, before stopping at his belly.

Dropping to her knees again, she then started to work up from his feet, up each leg until she was almost, but not quite, touching 'there'. And, as she stood up again, she was back to washing his lower belly, the top of his thighs and all around his groin.

With his eyes closed and enjoying her ministrations, he didn't see her stand looking into his closed eyes while nibbling on her bottom lip. If his eyes were open he would have seen her reach her decision.

With her soapy hands still washing his lower belly she stepped forward and placed a light kiss on his lips; which - though surprised - he eagerly returned, gripping her upper arms near her shoulders, as he opened his eyes.

Stepping back, just a little, her soapy hands dropped just that couple of inches lower, and grasped him. She enjoyed the look of shocked pleasure that suddenly came over his face as her hands moved to wash that most private of places.

And 'he' quickly perked up as if to say, 'Hello!'

By the time they both climbed out of the shower they knew they'd have to hurry if they wanted to visit with Daphne. After Hermione had finished washing Harry, and then some, Harry insisted on washing Hermione. He never did get the chance to actually wash his hair.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

Walking in to the infirmary together, both immediately saw that Daphne was sitting up in bed and picking at an early breakfast and looking quite morose. As soon as she saw them, though, her expression perked right up.

The two walked over and moved to stand either side of the bed. Harry leaned in and quickly kissed her lips-to-lips. To which Daphne expressed her pleasure by immediately deepening the kiss and bringing her hand up to cup his face as she did so.

When Harry pulled away, she looked back at him for a moment in pleasure, before she turned to Hermione. What she did not expect was for Hermione to lean in and do the same lip-to-lip kiss. But, it was Hermione who raised her hand to cup her bondmate's face.

When Hermione pulled away Daphne sat there in a little shock, but pleased, as Hermione's hand continued for a few moments to brush her thumb against the other girl's cheek.

"Wow!" Daphne softly exclaimed. "Now that's a nice way to be greeted in the morning."

"You were hurt pretty bad, love," explained Harry. "We could have easily lost you."

Both teens pulled over chairs to sit down and rest their arms on either side of the bed.

"Madam Pomfrey told me you were here all night until she chased you off just before curfew," confessed the blonde girl. "She also told me you had an argument with the Headmaster when he tried to claim he wasn't going to do anything because he had no witnesses."

Hermione snorted and said, "I put paid to that. He tried to ignore how I was with you, at the time. He was shocked when he found out I saw Flint cast the curse. I think he wanted to think I was already unconscious, at that time. Then Harry forced him to call your parents and tried to force him to also call the aurors."

With a sigh, Harry explained, "I succeeded in the first but not in the second. It was your father who tore further strips off him and forced him to call the aurors in. They took away Flint, first; then came back and got Derrick and Vaisey."

"Two other aurors came and interviewed me as to what happened about an hour later," continued Hermione, "and I also gave them my memory of the event. Flint, at least, we won't be seeing back here for quite some time, if ever. He's legally an adult and, therefore, entirely responsible for his actions."

"Huh!" exclaimed Harry. "I wouldn't put it past Dumbledore to convince the... whatever... to free Flint because 'he was sorry for what he did'."

"You're being fatalistic, Harry James," Hermione scolded him. "You don't know that, for sure."

"It's a pretty fair bet," Harry defended himself. Then, with a pretty fair impersonation of Dumbledore said, "Ah! You must learn to... forgive! Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle!"

That had both girls snorting and giggling. "That's not bad. Can you do Professor Snape?" asked Daphne.

"Well, I can get the sneer down; and I'm pretty sure I can get the droll-like manner of speaking. But, I just don't have the voice to... get the depth of his hatred."

The two stayed for as long as they could before they each kissed their bondmate again and dashed down to get breakfast.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

After breakfast, they hurried off to class and got it out of the way, with homework, before hurrying back to the apartment to grab Daphne's book bag, spare parchment, quills and fresh ink. Once they gathered up everything they needed, they dashed back down to the infirmary.

Together, the three set to working on their homework until it was time for lunch. However, instead of going to the Great Hall, they called Dobby; who made up and excellent lunch for the three of them. They ate their meal while continuing to talk and work on assignments.

Both Harry and Hermione thought about skiving off the single class they had in the afternoon - much to the surprise of Harry and Daphne - but thought, as Harry already had detention, attended it to get it out of the way. They returned immediately afterwards.

"Are you two going to get a nap in before you have to go to Astronomy?" Daphne quietly asked.

"That's a class we can skive off," stated Harry. "It's all about memorising stars, star clusters and formations, anyway. We can do that without attending, and just grab the night's notes off another 'Claw."

"That depends," said Hermione turning to Daphne. "Has Madam Pomfrey given you any indication when you can escape this place?"

"Tomorrow morning," she replied. "I just had to be a 'good patient' today, and she'd let me go tomorrow. I'm pretty sure she'll have no complaints."

"There's still time for me to be disappointed," said the medi-witch, as she came around the corner of the screen. She was carrying the jar of new-skin balm.

"Sit forward please, Miss Greengrass," she ordered.

Dutifully, Daphne sat up straighter before she leaned forward, a little.

Miss Granger, Mister Potter, other side of the bed, please," instructed the medi-witch.

Harry and Hermione went around to the other side where they could see Daphne's bare back. She was wearing one of those hospital gowns that open at the back and were only tied together.

However, the gown was already loose, and Daphne only needed to drop the gown slightly off her left shoulder for Madam Pomfrey to have access to the entire length of the now, much reduced, mark.

Madam Pomfrey showed both how to apply the balm and lightly massage it into the skin. "Not too firm, now," she said. "You're only after spreading the balm over the affected area in a thin layer."

Once she's finished, she said, "It'll take a minute or two to dry. And, once it's dry, you can cover the affected area back up."

"How often do we need to apply it?" asked Hermione.

"Twice a day," the medi-witch replied. "Once after a shower in the morning; and again in the early evening. Just make sure you keep the jar sealed at all times when it's not in use. Otherwise, it'll dry out within the jar and become useless."

After the balm was given the minute or two to dry, Daphne recovered her shoulder and sat back. And the other two teens moved back to their seats.

"Now, I'll give you more complete instructions for the balm and the salve tomorrow morning," offered Madam Pomfrey. "I take it you'll both be here before breakfast?"

"Of course, Madam Pomfrey," answered Hermione, as Harry nodded. Turning to Daphne she said, "We'll bring you a fresh uniform down with us tomorrow morning, alright?"

Nodding, Daphne said, "Thank you, Hermione."

"Off to class, you two," Madam Pomfrey demanded. "Go on, now."

So, after a quick word that they would see her soon, Daphne watched her two bondmates leave the infirmary.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

After their single class the two headed back to their apartment and collected some more books. They'd both decided to just pick up some advanced text books and took them back to the infirmary to read with Daphne in companionable silence.

At dinner, they left their books with the other girl, apologising that they'd be trying to get in an early nap before Astronomy that night, and made their way to dinner.

At dinner, just as she did during breakfast and lunch, Luna kept grinning at them. Finally, Hermione had had enough, sighed and asked, "Alright, Luna; what has you so excited. It's the bond, isn't it?"

With a rapid nod of her head, the younger Ravenclaw leaned forward and quietly said, "It must have been a really good night for you, two. Your bond has strengthened up a lot."

Both blushing, it was Harry who leaned forward and quietly said, "This morning, actually."

"I'm happy for you," she said. "But, now you have to bring Daphne up to join you. You need balance."

With a sigh, Hermione said, "We'll ask her; when she's out of the infirmary. It's just..."

Suddenly switching to a stern but sad expression, Luna said, "She's been hurt. Not physically, I mean; that curse. She's been hurt deeper than that... in her heart; to her soul.

"You'll need to help her and guide her. You'll need to get through this, together. Her soul is healing but she needs comfort from you both as she does. She trusts you both but it's a fickle thing. You need to show her that you can be trusted, but you also need to give her a little push every now and then lest you stagnate."

"Damn, Luna!" whined Harry. "I get what you're saying, but... Yes, Daphne was hurt; but, I don't want her to... I don't want to cause a relapse by pushing."

"Not pushing... guiding," she disagreed. "Lead her where she needs to go."

Harry and Hermione turned to look at one another before they both looked back at Luna. Hermione asked her, "How did you get so wise, so young?"

Luna just sadly smiled back.

Like a moth to a bug zapper, Malfoy chose that moment to saunter over with his two ape bookends. "So, Potter," he sneered. "I heard your blood traitor Greengrass got herself cursed into the infirmary. That's what you get for turning your back on purebloods."

With an overly dramatic sigh, Harry said, "Malfoy, just how stupid can you get? You've just stated, to all and sundry, that a pureblood will curse you in the back. In other words, you're admitting... on behalf of purebloods everywhere... that purebloods are a bunch of back-cursers. And, therefore, are not to be trusted."

With a snicker at the now red-faced blonde boy, he continued, "Go away, Malfoy; before you shove your foot even further in your mouth. You're just far too easy for me to bother dealing with."

With a snarl of, "You'll get yours, Potter," Malfoy scuttled back to his own table, bookends in tow.

For neither their early nap nor their proper sleep after the Astronomy class, did the two do more than cuddle once they climbed into bed before falling asleep. Both were wondering how they could help Daphne with her problems.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

Early the next morning both were up and hurried down to the infirmary. As promised, Daphne was receiving her last health check before being released. She greeted them both with a wide smile and happiness in her eyes; and was very appreciative of Hermione's efforts when the other girl dropped a folded set of full school robes, socks, shoes, hair clips, Daphne's small makeup purse and underwear on the bed.

"All clear, dear," said Madam Pomfrey when she stepped away. "You're free to go once you get dressed."

The medi-witch then placed the two jars of the balm and the salve onto the bedside table and said, "Don't forget what I told you and showed you about applying the balm. For the salve, the same rules apply, except it needs to be massaged into the scar tissue to get deeply within.

"So, a light coating for new skin with the balm; and a deep massage for scar tissue and the salve. Got that, dears?"

"Yes, Madam Pomfrey," the three dutifully replied, as Daphne climbed out of bed to get dressed.

Though, they were no longer worried about their modesty between the three of them, now; Harry still turned about and watched for anyone coming in. It took only a short time for Daphne to get dressed and be ready to go down to breakfast.

"Do you want to go grab a shower, first?" asked Hermione. "I'm sure we can put another coating of the balm on afterwards, if you want to."

"No, it's alright," replied Daphne. "Madam Pomfrey woke me to have an early shower so she could pat dry my back. I'd only just got back into bed, and Madam Pomfrey applied the balm, when you two walked in."

"Right then," said Harry, happy to have his 'first' bondmate back on her feet. "Breakfast?"

"Breakfast," they smiled back.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

After a healthy breakfast where Luna advised Daphne to open her heart and allow it to be free to live - which Daphne didn't reply to at the time, but later said she thought it a strange thing to say - the mail owls came streaming in. Hermione received her morning edition of the Daily Prophet, as did Daphne.

Harry had considered getting one for himself but decided it was a waste, seeing as both his bondmates would not hesitate in showing him anything of interest or importance contained within if they saw it. Instead, he alternatively read over both girls' shoulders.

While they were receiving their morning papers, Harry received a small package borne by an owl he'd not seen before.

As surreptitiously as possible he scanned the owl and package before relieving the bird of its burden and offering it a slice of bacon. Instead of waiting the bird practically snatched the bacon out of Harry's fingers and took off again.

"What do you have there, love?" asked Daphne, as Hermione was too deep into reading the newspaper.

He leaned over and whispered into Daphne's ear. "If it's what I think it is, it's part of the birthday gifts for Friday."

Because of Astronomy the night before, they had a late start to classes, this day. Their first period was free, but they were in DADA for the second period.

All three knew that Barty Junior wouldn't be making a move against them under his master's orders; so felt quite safe. Harry just wasn't looking forward to the class coming the next week, where faux-Moody taught them the three Unforgivables.

He wondered if he should fake being Imperiused.

Later, he managed to find the time to duck into a boys' bathroom and unwrapped the package that had arrived that morning. Inside he found a single ring box and, upon opening it, he saw the three rings he'd ordered.

'Wow!' he thought. 'That was fast!'

He dropped the ring box back into his pocket and rejoined the other two out in the corridor, where they were waiting for him.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

That evening the three quickly settled in for the night. They knew Daphne needed the balm for her back; so, while they were getting their homework out of the way, Harry lightly applied it to her fading scar while she sat forward on the edge of the couch and between his legs.

However, she then insisted Harry strip himself to the waist while the two girls began to massage the scar reducing salve into his many scars from his waist up and on his arms. When they were done he thought that's when they would prepare for bed. Instead, they then insisted he remove his pants so they could work on the ones lower down.

Most of his scars were from the rare times he was whipped with a belt by his obese uncle; or, had suffered an accident - almost always caused by his obese cousin. However, there were also a few scars from when his cousin and his friends engaged in 'Harry Hunting'.

Lastly, Hermione insisted on applying the salve to the scar on his forehead. "Now that the soul fragment is gone," she explained, "We know the scar is no longer going to ever open up and bleed again. That means we can work on getting rid of it."

As well as the massage being soothing, Harry could also feel the effect of the salve as it was massaged into the skin. Each scar now felt a little warm, as if someone had used a Tiger Balm or similar on each and every one of them.

It was a ritual they continued for months afterwards with dedication until told to stop by Madam Pomfrey when she checked the scars.

When the three readied for bed, they convinced Daphne to lie in the middle with the excuse that they both wanted to be able to cuddle her and ensure themselves that she was back with them.

Daphne was pretty much ordered to lie on her right side as Harry spooned up behind. Hermione lay facing her and the two witches stared into each other's eyes. After a few moments Hermione was running her fingers through Daphne's hair and telling the other girl just how happy she was that the blonde was back while Harry snuggled in behind.

"We have something to tell you," Hermione said.

"Oh?" asked Daphne.

"Harry and I have progressed to 'permitted' touching in certain situations," she replied. "Would you like it if we did that with you?"

Daphne laid there for a little while, her heart beating a little quicker. She thought she was bordering on a panic attack. However, she also felt she wasn't. She thought about what Hermione said and decided she'd see what she meant.

Gently she nodded her head a little, a little fearful.

Seeing the slight distress on their bondmate's face, Hermione explained, "We only go as far as you allow. Any time you want to stop, or just slow down, you decide. Say so, and we stop."

Daphne relaxed a little and nodded again. A little surer in the situation.

With his right arm under Daphne's neck, Harry moved it to how he had held Hermione's breast; but did not touch. He held his hand slightly away.

Hermione then reached her right hand over to his and, looking the other girl in the eyes, gently pushed Harry's hand onto her bondmate's breast. After a few moments, Harry began lightly rubbing his hand on the curves of the boob before he shifted his hand lightly until his thumb was lightly teasing the nipple. He gently tweaked it and felt it harden under the ball of his thumb.

As Daphne began to relax and enjoy the sensation, Harry moved his left hand to lightly capture her left. Then eased it down to the junction of the girl's legs.

He did no more than that, but it was a great start when Daphne didn't fight his grip. Hermione, smiling, leaned forward and placed a kiss on the tip of the other girl's nose. And softly said, "Nice; isn't it?"

Daphne shyly nodded, and relaxed even further.

They continued that way for a while as they all drifted off to sleep.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

The next morning, Harry woke up still cuddling Daphne. His right hand was again caressing her breast. But, now, his left hand was between her legs, gently stroking the hairs.

Thinking that was going a little too far he began to ease his hand away when her left hand shot down and grabbed his, pushing it firmly back. "Please," she softly whined.

With a light kiss to the back of her neck to let her know he'd heard, Harry began to gently massage her. He allowed his fingers to lightly massage the top of her crease on her 'button'.

After a while she began gasping and trying not to make any further noise; but, it was enough to wake Hermione who was lying with her back to them.

Their other bondmate gently rolled over and looked at Daphne's face, curious as to the sounds. However, smart as she was, it still took her a few moments to figure out why the blonde was making the noises she was. And her eyes widened in surprise, and not a little happiness.

As she lay there, just watching, Daphne was staring back, flushed.

"He..." Daphne tried to whisper.

"I know," smiled Hermione. "Relax and enjoy it."

By the time Daphne followed Harry into the shower, on Hermione's suggestion, she was one happy witch. Her trust in both had, at first, taken a little downturn. However, they proved to be both trustworthy and didn't take things too far.

As she looked back on the events of the morning, she realised it really was a logical next step in their efforts to reach the sealing of the bond. They were just playing with each other, after all. And she trusted Harry not to take it too far, too soon. Having Hermione there was also a great comfort to the still mentally scarred witch.

Harry had just climbed under the spray when Daphne simply walked in and stepped straight into the shower behind him.

"Did you and Hermione do this, too?" she coyly asked.

"We did," he replied.

"And did you do anything in the shower?" she asked.

"We washed each other," he replied with a slight shrug and small grin. "All over, and well."

"Hmm..." she said. Just as Hermione did, she reached for Harry's soap and began to lather it up. Moments later, she was washing his back.

She had just started washing his lower legs when Hermione stuck her hand in the stall and placed Daphne's bath soap and cloth on the shower rack. "Your towel's on the rack and a fresh uniform and underwear are sitting on Harry's bed," she said, before she left again.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

When the two came out of the bedroom some time later, Hermione smirked and said, "I was about to come in and hurry you two up. We'll miss breakfast, otherwise."

"I need to put on..." started Daphne.

"Your make-up purse is in your book bag. You can put it on after breakfast and before class," Hermione interrupted.

Daphne smiled back with a light blush and said, "Thank you. But, I also need to put on the balm."

"We can do that at the same time you put on your make-up," Hermione smoothly replied. "The jar's also in your book bag. I'll do it for you in one of the girl's bathrooms after breakfast and before class."

"If everything's organised, shall we go?" asked a very contented Harry.

With a nod, Hermione smiled and replied, "Lets."

"Thank you, you two," Daphne softly said.

Hermione looked back with a big smile and said, "No need to thank us. We're in this, together. We're there for each other."

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

When they sat opposite Luna, she grinned at the three of them and returned her attention to her breakfast. "I wish they served pudding at breakfast," she mused.

Harry chuckled and said, "You'd only ever eat pudding, if that's what they served."

Luna just happily grinned back, as if to say, 'I know'.

When the mail arrived, Harry was happy to see Hedwig delivering a letter for Hermione from the Grangers. Hermione had written to her parents about the harm that had befallen Daphne, and to assure them that all three of them were fine.

When Hermione read the letter she'd received back, the letter indicated her parents were grateful she'd not been hurt, that Daphne was alright and would soon recover, and that the perpetrators had been taken from the school by the 'magical police' in restraints.

"That reminds me," muttered Harry, as he turned to Daphne. "We need to find out from Matthias how the hunt for a professional magical creature renderer is going. I want those skins so we can get armour made for the three of us."

Nodding, Daphne softly said, "I'll write him this afternoon."

After class, Daphne wrote her letter and Hedwig was happy to take it. Harry had the feeling his owl didn't think he worked her enough.

"How goes the start on my mail backlog, ladies?" Harry asked, suddenly remembering his fan mail.

"Well, before Daphne was hurt, we had everything in place except for actually approaching the people we want, to make a start on sorting everything," replied Hermione. "Now that Daphne's back on her feet, I think we can start approaching folks on Saturday." She looked at Daphne and asked, "What do you think?"

Daphne nodded and said, "Saturday's our best option, considering tomorrow is Hermione's birthday. Plus, we know people aren't madly scampering about working on assignments for most of the day."

"Good," Hermione nodded. "Saturday, then."

Once homework was complete, the three chatted for a while before they had to head down to the Great Hall for dinner.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

The next morning, after a night without any 'bond strengthening' activities other than just cuddling, Harry woke and immediately rose from bed without waking the other two. He quietly padded over to where he'd hidden the gifts he had for both his bondmates and returned, wearing a pair of boxers, to sit on the foot of the bed with his legs crossed. He placed the gifts on the bed before himself.

He watched as both witches, in their sleep, noticed the lack of contact and slid under the sheets until they were lying cuddling one another. His heart leapt with joy just seeing it, and knew he had another powerful patronus memory he could use.

Hermione was the first to waken and notice she held Daphne in her arms. She looked around and saw Harry sitting on the foot of the bed smiling back at her.

"Harry?" she asked, a little confused. "Why are you up and sitting on the foot of the bed?"

"Good morning; and Happy Birthday, my love," he replied.

Her sudden movement in sitting up woke Daphne, who grizzled a little about being woken up. "Wha?" she asked.

"Good morning, my love," Harry said to her.

Wiping the sleep out of her eyes, she muttered, "Good morning. Now, why are you up?"

"Because it's Hermione's birthday and I have presents," he calmly replied.

That took a moment to sink in before she, too, suddenly shot up to be sitting up in bed. "Careful of your back, love," he admonished her.

"Sorry," she muttered with a little wince of pain.

Harry stared for a moment back at the two beautiful witches who were sitting with their breasts uncovered to his gaze before he snapped himself out of it. However, not before Hermione noticed where he was staring and looked back, amused.

Offering them matching gifts each, he waited until they'd unwrapped them. Hermione looked a little puzzled before Daphne gasped and said, "Hit Wizard wand holsters!"

Hermione was quite surprised.

Staring back at Harry, Daphne asked, "Harry, where did you get these? Only Hit Wizards and Unspeakables are supposed to be able to get hold of these."

"From a little shop I remembered from our last go-around," he replied. Tossing another one to each, he said, "Here's a second one for the other arm. I bought two each based on your father wanting to take us out to get second wands each. Otherwise, it's a spare each."

"You bought them illegally?" asked Hermione.

"I did," he admitted. "However, you know why and we need to practice using them. At least, I'm pretty sure Daphne does."

Daphne slowly nodded while she moved the holster about in her hand giving it a careful once over.

He gave them a bit of time to admire their gifts before he picked up the last, small gift before him. "Now," he said moving closer to the head of the bed and kneeling on the bedding sitting on his haunches.

He then opened the little ring box and turned it so both could see what it contained.

Both witches gasped with their eyes wide open and their mouths in matching 'Oh' shapes.

"Now that our unusual relationship has become quite public," he began, "And we've been making strides in strengthening the bonds, I thought it prudent for us to show our devotion to one another to the world.

"Would both you ladies do me the honour of wearing these promise rings to show our status to the world?"

Both nodded back, and both had tears in their eyes.

Harry reached in and removed the first ring. It had the aquamarine stone at the top, and held it with his left hand gripping it with the tips of his fingers around the edge. He reached out, took Daphne's left hand and gently slipped the ring on to her ring finger. As soon as it reached the webbing it immediately warmed a little, resizing itself to her finger.

He then reached in and took the other ladies ring, the one with the sunstone at the top, and slid it onto Hermione's ring finger; where the same magic adjusted it.

Finally, he offered the two the ring box and asked, "Who would like to do the honours?"

The two witches looked from the box to the ring on their fingers and finally at each other. "Together," said Hermione, to which Daphne nodded.

Hermione reached in, removed the ring and held it between thumb and finger on the outside. Daphne then reached out and did the same, crossing her fingers with Hermione's as she did so. Then, together, they slid the ring onto Harry's ring finger on his left hand. Again, he felt the warmth as the ring resized itself. His ring, of course, had the emerald at the top.

"They're quite unusual," murmured Daphne.

"The three stones, of course, represent the three of us. In this case, I was trying to get close to each of our natural eye colour. Emerald, for me; sunstone, for Hermione; and aquamarine, for Daphne.

"The three hearts then form a bit of a hexagon... if you look at it right... that has the significance of the items we're trying to clean. For us, it unifies. The rings are as unique in their design as our relationship is for us."

Hermione and Daphne were both staring at the rings. It was Daphne who softly said, "They're beautiful, love." And Hermione, who nodded, was unable to speak.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

When the three sat at the Ravenclaw table opposite Luna, she was quick to spot the rings. Both girls were happy to show her theirs. And the show of the rings to Luna brought other girls over to look. Some of them were happy for the two, but others looked on with other, less kind, emotions including anger, disappointment, sorrow, envy and others.

Harry took careful note of who reacted the worst, and swore to keep an eye on them. They came from all the Houses and all years. Some of the ones he intended to keep a close eye on included Romilda Vane and Fay Dunbar from Gryffindor; Morag McDougal and Shirley Fawcett from Ravenclaw; and Megan Jones from Hufflepuff. The others he didn't see as direct threats.

Luna was happy for them, of course. As were Harry's three ex-team-mate chasers from Gryffindor, Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell; though, Katie did look a little sad. For the most part the other girls, and even some of the blokes, were interested in the look of the rings and what they meant; but, did not appear to be a threat or threatening.

As the day progressed, Harry became a little anxious as to what the night would bring. He'd promised Hermione they'd talk about all those little private things from their childhoods. He already knew a lot of Hermione's she'd shared while they were on their near year long hunt for horcruxes.

It was Daphne who was the enigma. She was a true pureblood coming from long lines on both sides of the family. Yet she did not support, even despised, the pureblood dogma. Finding out why would be interesting.

Soon enough, the last class was finished and the three retired to their apartment.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

Entering the apartment Daphne suggested they get the initial homework assignments out of the way before they changed and got dressed nice for dinner. But, Harry had to sheepishly admit he only had the formal robes Mrs Weasley had 'lent' him; which were supposed to be for the Yule Ball. She then went through his wardrobe and declared that, first chance they got, Harry was buying a complete new wardrobe; and that he could stay in his school uniform.

Both girls entered their rooms to shuck their robes.

While they were gone, Harry called Dobby.

When the little elf popped in, he asked, "Are we set for the meal tonight?"

"Oh, yes, Master Harry," he replied. "Winky and I has everything ready."

"Excellent," said Harry, grateful. "I'll set up a table for three for us, then."

Dobby looked a little embarrassed, which led Harry to ask, "You've already arranged for that, too; haven't you?"

"Yes, Master Harry," the elf sadly said.

Harry just chuckled and said, "Of course you would; because you're a very smart and loyal house elf. I'm sorry I didn't think of it before. Thank you, Dobby."

Before he could start blubbering away again, the little elf popped away.

When the girls returned, they set to work on their assignments until they decided it was time to stop for dinner.

Packing their school work away, the girls returned to their rooms to change while Harry, once again, called Dobby.

When the elf popped in, he said, "The girls are now getting ready. Can you set up the table for us, please?"

With a firm nod, Dobby popped in a small round dining table that could nominally sit about six, three chairs spaced equidistant around it, a white linen tablecloth, centrepiece, place settings for three and condiments. He then ensured the fire was properly banked and dimmed the gaslights a little. Finally, he lit the candles and Daphne's rarely used wizarding wireless started up playing light music in the background.

"Wow, Dobby!" Harry softly exclaimed. "This is brilliant!"

Pleased, the elf popped away.

Instead of sitting down while he waited for the girls... his two ladies... to return, he quickly ducked into his own room and smartened himself up. He did up the top button of his shirt and pulled his tie all the way up against it, smoothed down his hair as best he could, straightened his sleeves and made sure his shirt was properly tucked in to his pants with his jumper pulled down to low on his hips. He looked like a prefect without the badge; or a Slytherin wearing Ravenclaw colours.

He'd just made it back to stand alongside the table when Hermione returned. She took about three steps into the living room, while affixing an earring, when she suddenly realised the change in the ambience of the room.

Looking up in shock, she finished setting the earring to rights and, as she dropped her hands, she looked around and said, "Wow!" Looking at Harry she asked, "Did you do this?"

"Heavens, no!" he replied. "I just told Dobby we wanted an evening meal for just the three of us in our apartment tonight and he set all this up."

Hermione was wearing a nice skirt and blouse combination with a light jacket, medium heeled shoes, and light make-up. Around her neck she was wearing a fine gold chain with a small charm of a lion's head hanging from it. The combination looked almost like something she'd wear to the office, if she was working in the muggle world.

He moved to the table and pulled a chair slightly out and away. Looking back to her, he smirked, "My lady?"

Hermione blushed and slowly walked over to sit down. He slipped the chair back under the table and helped her adjust it to be comfortable for her.

He stepped away and was just in time for Daphne to enter. As with Hermione, she stopped a couple paces into the room and looked about in surprise. However, she'd already set her earrings.

Daphne was wearing a dress in 'robe' style. It fell to just below her knees and was short sleeved. It could almost be considered a sundress, but looked a little more formal than that. As with Hermione's it showed a bit of cleavage, and she had a fine silver chain around her neck with a small serpent as the charm.

"Wow!" she exclaimed.

Harry chuckled and replied, "That's what we both said. Dobby did all this off his own back. He did a good job, didn't he?"

"Definitely," she nodded back.

Harry moved to one of the other chairs and held it for her. "My lady?" he gently asked.

Daphne smiled and walked over. As with Hermione he pushed her chair in and helped her set the chair to a comfortable distance.

Finally, he took his own seat.

Looking to the two of them he was pleased how the centrepiece was not in their way for direct conversation.

"I asked Dobby to prepare us a nice dinner because we wanted to both celebrate Hermione's birthday, and talk about important things during and after. He set all this up," Harry said, indicating the table and lights. "Personally, I think he just wants to spoil us."

Daphne shook her head lightly back and smiled. "No. He's devoted to you."

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

During the first part of the meal they spoke about life in the Lion's Den and the Snake Pit. Daphne spoke about the ongoing political moves being made right from the start, which would continue through to and beyond graduation.

When Crookshanks and Midnight, who wasn't around all that often, had realised food was being eaten in 'their' apartment, they came over to see if they could mooch. Crookshanks no sooner meowed when Dobby popped in and provided him with a dish of kneazel-friendly food, and her with a dish of normal cat food.

Harry and Hermione spoke about how there were no political machinations in the Lion's Den and that, when someone tried it, they were smacked down by the rest of the House. Hermione talked about how the girls in her 'old' dorm only wanted to gossip about boys, other girls, boys, fashion, boys, and a recent start on the subject of sex – with boys.

Harry talked about how he spent his evenings ensuring there were silencing charms up on Ron's and Neville's beds. And that it was always wise to be up and ready before Seamus started to rise. His morning flatulence, he said, was the stuff of legends. And wondered how the Irishman's bed curtains and bedding hadn't rotted under the onslaught.

"Is that why Seamus was always the last one up?" asked Hermione. "No one wanted to wake him because the first thing he would do on waking was... flatulate?"

"Yep," grinned Harry. "Everyone else wanted to be ready to leave before they'd chance waking him. The last one out was always tasked with waking him and running for the sake of their nasal passages and lungs."

Both girls laughed aloud on that.

During dessert Daphne talked about life at Greengrass Farm and being a child of a 'Neutral' family.

"What is it that's 'farmed' at Greengrass Farm?" asked Harry.

Daphne lightly giggled and replied, "Nothing; now. The family used to farm sheep, cattle and produce. Now, we're involved in manufacturing. Our family invented Butterbeer and Wizard Mead; and we own the rights to both, worldwide. As Grandfather Greengrass used to say, we moved from 'produce to production'.

"Greengrass Farm is now a sprawling estate. The greenhouses have been torn down, as have the shearing and milking sheds, the slaughterhouse, the massive stables, the granary and other farming outbuildings. In their place is a small set of stables that house our family's horses, a small house elf community, and large tracts of reforested land. What's left has been turned into extensive lawns and gardens.

"The house isn't so much a house, now, as it is a collection of interconnected buildings. The main house is where the Head of House and his family live. Then there're the two outlier wings, as we call them. One each side. They can be considered separate residences as they both have their own kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, et cetera.

"They were built to accommodate other separate Greengrass families. And, were once separate residences. Now, they have fully covered verandas running from them to the main house; and there is a door at each end of the verandas to close them off.

"Mum and Dad now use them as guests' quarters for those who are visiting for more than one night. Dad often has his manufacturing plant executives stay over for short periods and they discuss business. That happens at least twice a year. For the executives it's both a retreat and an ongoing business meeting, and Dad gets to write the whole thing off against taxes.

When she wound down as they were finishing desert, they moved on to Hermione.

She talked about growing up as a single lonely child to parents who were both dentists. She talked about her bursts of accidental magic during her years before school. One was where she was summoning toys to her crib that were left just out of her reach, or a 'bottle'. Another was where she got angry about something, she couldn't recall what, and blew out the windows in her nursery cum bedroom. A third was making real tea, milk and sugar appear in her child's tea set.

She talked about developing her love in reading from her mother and father taking turns to read her bedtime stories when she was little, and getting annoyed when they'd stop before the story was finished. She wanted to know what happened next so, basically, browbeat her parents into teaching her how to read at a very young age.

She was reading children's book before her fourth birthday, albeit slowly, and heavier books before her fifth. Because she was learning to read, her parents also taught her to write. She was slowly 'printing' her own writing before her fifth birthday and moving on to cursive before she started school.

She then started speaking about how she was so excited to get to go to primary school, and discovering that she'd already been taught so much that the pace of learning bored her to tears. So, she started taking books to school and reading them when the teacher was getting students to read from learning-to-read books.

She started to softly cry when she started to tell them about what it was like in those first, few months.

"So, here I was, sitting with two books open on my desk," she lightly sniffled. "I'd have the learning-to-read, grade one, book open at the page the entire class was on, and I'd have another open, such as a grade four would have, and be reading that.

"The first time I was called upon to read from the grade one book, I flew through the page. I was clear, concise and even using the right inflections; such as my parents would use when they were reading me bedtime stories.

"That's when the bullying started, and when teachers would stop calling upon me to read or answer questions. My first teacher sent a letter home with me to my parents basically abusing them for teaching me so much before I even started school. Dad took time off from the practice and went down there. There was an almighty row with him, the Headmaster and the teacher in the Headmaster's office about it.

"I never did find out what they argued about, but I know it had to do with my reading and comprehension abilities. And, from that time on for the rest of the year, that teacher hated me.

"As time passed the other kids first started shunning me. That then moved to minor bullying, until it got to be physical enough to warrant Dad going back down to the school.

"Late in grade three my parents were able to buy a nicer house in a more affluent area, so we moved. I changed school. At first, everything was alright. However, because of the bullying at the first school, I'd learned to stay away from other kids and found solace in my books. When I started at the new school, even though my parents hoped I'd meet new kids and make friends, I never did.

"Then, the bullying started again. Though we moved from lower middle class to upper middle class, kids are kids. They wore nicer clothes and had nicer things, but they were still the same. I used to hide out in the school library to get away from them and their vicious taunts. However, on the way home, they'd often gang up and attack me.

"I have no idea how many times I'd come home with my books, clothes and school stuff ruined. But, it was quite a bit.

"Before my letter came, I was dreading going to high school. My parents were already investigating in private schools focussed mainly on ones that had very strict policies in place against bullying behaviour, and they'd narrowed it down to a few. But, my letter changed all that.

"Coming to Hogwarts, a boarding school, had my parents terrified for me. They worried I'd be, yet again, bullied; and they'd be too far away... and unable to even see the school if they came here... to come to me with help if I needed it.

"But, I was excited. It was magic; and it was something that showed why I was so different. I just knew it was the best option for me.

"However, I was again without friends... to start with. I was on friendly terms with a couple of the other first years, including you, Harry. But, by the afternoon of the troll incident, I'd had enough. I'd planned on going to see our Head of House, Professor McGonagall, and begging her to take me home. Then the troll came in."

She turned to look at Harry and smiled, though she still had tears in her eyes. "I thought I was going to die, right there. But then, one of the boys I was on friendly terms with... even though he hung about with one of the more horrid boys... came in to rescue me. Like a knight in shining armour he jumped on that troll's back and fought him, trying to get it far enough away from me I could get past. From that moment on, he became my best friend; even though the redheaded idiot tried to keep pushing me away."

Harry reached out and held her hand in his for a moment. By then, the dishes had been cleared away and the three were drinking an alcohol free light wine.

Sitting back, he took a deep breath and said, "Well, I guess it's my turn, then."

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ