Chapter Twenty - Christmas Secrets

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!

Chapter Twenty - Christmas Secrets

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—==(oIo)==—

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Only a few short weeks later, the three were packed ready to leave on the Hogwarts Express for the Christmas break. They would be collected by the Greengrasses and apparated direct to Greengrass Farm.

When Hermione mentioned she didn't have most of her 'muggle' clothes with her, Daphne smiled and said, "Don't worry about it. We'll get you sorted, soon enough."

The ride back to London was ridden in a mostly empty Hogwarts Express. Most students, especially those in Fourth Year and up, were remaining in the castle to attend the Ball. This also meant they were not bothered during the trip back by either the two youngest Weasleys or Malfoy and his goon squad; all of whom were remaining at the castle, as much as they knew, for the entire Christmas break.

When they arrived at Kings Cross, Harry and the girls quickly alighted with their trunks and were greeted by the two Greengrass adults.

"Good trip was it?" asked Deece.

"The quietest I've had," replied Harry.

"Good," said Matthias, before he changed the subject. "Now, we're heading back to the Farm by Floo." Looking at Harry and Hermione, he asked, "Have both of you travelled by Floo before?"

"Yes," they both replied.

"Excellent," replied Matthias.

The elder Greengrasses led the three down the length of the platform and beyond the barrier to the muggle side. Past the barrier they came across a set of fireplaces, all large enough for at least two people and a trunk.

Matthias went first with a muttered call of 'Greengrass Farm'. Then went Daphne, Hermione and Harry, with Deece bringing up the rear.

As with the last time he used the Floo, Harry exited with a skid across the floor as if the fireplace forcefully ejected him and his trunk. This led to laughter from Matthias, Daphne and Hermione before Deece calmly stepped through.

Seeing Harry sprawled on the floor, she smiled and said, "Ah! I see we have to teach you the proper way to exit a Floo."

Rolling over onto his back and sitting up, Harry angrily muttered, "It's now official; magical forms of transport hate me."

After a response of laughter and chuckling, Matthias helped Harry to his feet. "Don't worry about it, Harry," he said. "There's a knack to it. We'll just have to teach you."

After the five had rid themselves of the excess soot due to the Floo travel, Matthias led them through to the parlour. The first Harry learned a surprise awaited them was when Hermione let out a very un-Hermione-like squeal and dashed across the room. Her parents were just rising from a couch when Hermione almost knocked them both back onto it again.

Thankfully, for them both, Anthony had intercepted Hermione before she could knock her mother over, and roared with laughter.

With a grin and chuckle of her own, Celeste said to the elder Greengrasses, "As you can see, Hermione is a 'daddy's girl', through and through."

Embarrassed for her reaction, Hermione stepped away from her father before turning to her mother and giving her a hug.

Stepping back, she said, "I didn't know you were coming. When did you organise this? How do you know Daphne's parents? Why didn't you let me know? How long..." She was interrupted by her mother raising a finger and placing it vertically over her daughter's lips in a 'shush' gesture.

Cele replied, "Give us a chance to explain and all your questions will be answered, alright?"

Blushing, Hermione only nodded.

Once everyone had sat down, in a tag team manner similar of many husbands and wives, Ant and Cele explained how they were contacted by Deece a couple of weeks earlier and invited to spend Christmas with them. The offer was extended because of the unique relationship between the three teens. They had arrived only the night before after Matthias and Deece side-along apparated them to Greengrass Farm, and were staying in one of the 'wing' houses off the main house. They would return to their own home the day the three teens returned to Hogwarts on the Express.

While they'd been talking, with Hermione asking further questions, Harry had been thinking. And, once the explanation seemed to have ended, he gave his throat a little clear and said, "Now that you're all here, together, neither set of parents need to worry about letting slip you know who our guardian angels are. All of you have met them."

"Really?" asked Cele. With a sigh, she said, "Thank the Lord for that!"

"You've met them, too?" asked a surprised Deece.

"Yes," replied Ant. "When their school nurse... healer... brought the three of them to talk to us soon after the bond was formed, I leapt to conclusions and was in the process of losing my temper. Their three angels popped in and... told me off."

"That was almost the same as our meeting them," Matthias laughed. "I said to Harry how concerned I was about the bonds being a three-way bond and, just as I was about to put my foot in my own mouth about it, their angels popped in and assuaged my fears."

"Well," said Harry, speaking up. "Those here, plus Astoria, are the only ones who know about our guardian angels."

"But, why did they appear?" asked Cele. "I mean, I take it this sort of thing is quite uncommon, even in the wizarding world?"

"I've not heard of it before," replied Matthias before turning to his wife. "Deece?"

Deece just shook her head and said, "No."

"I think our three kids might," said Cele, looking pointedly at where the three were sitting together on one of the couches.

"We do," sighed Harry. "But we cannot tell you. At least... not yet."

Daphne said, "It's not that we don't want to; we just can't."

"A magical vow?" asked Deece.

"No," replied Harry. "A... Heavenly imperative."

"They won't let you?" asked Ant.

"Yes," replied Hermione, first to answer. Almost begging them to understand, she said, "There is a very important reason for that. Part of it has to do with protecting the knowledge from Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Snape. Our... angels... locked the knowledge a way to protect it from being discovered by others, especially those two."

"The information is protected from access from anyone, except ourselves, by any means including Legilimency, Veritaserum, oath or vow," continued Daphne.

"It's that dangerous?" asked Matthias.

"It's not the information that's dangerous," replied Hermione. "It's how it can be used. There is a high risk that Dumbledore would want to know... what we know... and then try to manipulate things the way he wants. That is what cannot be allowed to happen."

"And, because Dumbledore will always absolve himself of guilt or blame if he thinks what he's doing is for his so-called 'Greater Good'..." said Harry.

"... He will go to any length, including breaking the law, if he can so justify it to himself," continued Matthias with a sigh of understanding.

"Yes," said Daphne. "He uses Legilimency on the students and everyone else without prior permission..."

"That's illegal!" gasped Deece.

"Yet he'll do it if he can justify it to himself," explained Harry.

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one," muttered Ant. "He thinks he's Vulcan."

"Pardon?" asked Matthias.

"Sorry," said Ant, a little abashed. "It's a movie trope. To put it into context, it means Headmaster Dumbledore is willing to cause harm to one person, if it's for the betterment of many others - for the greater good; and the lesser good bedamned."

"Dumbledore sees himself as the great chess master," explained Harry. "He firmly believes Tom Riddle, Voldemort..." the Greengrasses shuddered, "... is not yet utterly defeated. As we know, he's right. Only Riddle's body was destroyed on the night of thirty first of October, 1981. His... spirit... his shade... is still out there. I faced him in both my first and second years, defeating him both times.

"Dumbledore knows this because there's a prophecy globe in the Hall of Prophecies that speaks of Riddle and it hasn't yet gone dark; meaning the prophecy is incomplete.

"The trouble with treating this like it's a game of chess and only looking at the big picture... the greater good... is Dumbledore has forgotten he's playing with people's lives. And chess is all about being willing to sacrifice pieces... lives... if it gets you closer to your ultimate goal."

"He'd do that?" gasped Deece.

"Yes," replied Hermione. "And his 'we must learn to forgive' theme that allowed so many Death Eaters to escape punishment at the end of the last war means Riddle has most of his inner circle still available to him. When Riddle is... resurrected... they'll immediately flock back to him."

Ant suddenly stood and walked over to a window, grumbling. He stood there looking out for a few moments before he said, "I don't like this. I think it would be safer if we were to pull you out, Hermione."

"No, it wouldn't," Harry said. "Hermione's now a 'known'. That is, the wizarding world knows of her existence."

Turning to look at Harry with an unhappy glare, Ant asked, "What do you mean?"

"The Ministry of Magic has a detection net that covers the islands," explained Harry. "Right from the first time a child casts accidental magic the Ministry detects it, sends out a team of what's called Obliviators... in case the magic's been seen by more than just immediate family of the new witch or wizard... and records what happened, by whom and where.

"That means the Ministry has a record of Hermione casting accidental magic; and where she lives. If... when... Riddle manages to defeat the Ministry and take over; one of the first things he's going to send his Death Eaters out to do is kill all the muggleborn the Ministry have on record. It will be wholesale slaughter."

"If you pull me out, Daddy," Hermione quietly explained, "They'll still come after me. If I remain at Hogwarts, I'm at least somewhat protected. It's you and Mum we need to worry about. Our home isn't safe from magical attack."

"Secondly," added Matthias, "Because Hermione has not yet completed her OWLs, the law states she is to remain in magical education. If you pull her out, her magic will be bound, her wand will be snapped and all three of you will be Obliviated of all knowledge of the wizarding world. That means she won't even be able to use the knowledge she has to protect herself, or you. You'll be... What's the muggle saying?..."

"Sitting ducks," sighed Ant.

"Yes, that's it," said Matthias. "Sitting ducks."

"So, what do we do?" asked Cele.

"Stay safe," replied Hermione. "I need you to start preparing to abandon both your practice and your home. When I send a message telling you to run, you need to leave immediately. Drop everything and go."

"Go where?" asked Ant.

"Here," said Matthias firmly. "We have wards in place here. I'll be talking to the goblins as soon as possible about getting even the one's we've got updated. I'll also organise personalised emergency portkeys for you both."

"And you'll need an escape plan," said Daphne. "One that doesn't include using apparition, Floo or portkey."

"Why?" asked Matthias of his daughter.

"Because the first thing's the Death Eaters do when they attack a magical home is throw up Anti-apparition and portkey wards over your own; and they somehow can block the Floo," replied Hermione. "We think they have one or more people on the inside in the Floo Network Authority who either support Riddle or are taking bribes. We think they're the ones who're shutting down Floo access to a home when it's attacked."

"Brooms, then?" asked Deece.

"No, tunnels," replied Harry.

"Tunnels?" asked Mathias.

"One tunnel is all that's necessary," explained Harry. "From your basement, dig a tunnel out and under your wards that an adult can run through. You also most certainly don't want it to reach the surface. As long as it gets a suitable distance past your wards, it'll also get beyond the Anti-apparition and portkey wards the DEs throw up. A portkey should get you out from there. If no one knows of it but you, it'll provide you safe egress."

Matthias looked back in shock. "That's... why hasn't anyone thought of that before?"

Harry bit his tongue. Magicals, he thought, were idiots.

"The only problem with such tunnels is, if others know about it, word can get back to the DEs," he explained. "If they know of it, they can also use it against you; whether it's by using it to get in or simply blocking it from outside. So, even its very existence needs to remain a secret."

"Do you plan on telling others of this concept?" asked Matthias.

"Yes," replied Harry. "I plan on telling Amelia Bones and Augusta Longbottom, and practically demanding of them both a Wizard's Oath not to tell anyone else. Both will be priority targets of Riddle very soon after his resurrection... Just as you are."

"Us?" exclaimed Deece, a little fearful.

Harry nodded back and replied, "You, as are the Grangers. Riddle sees me as Enemy Number One. My relationship with Daphne and Hermione is now well known. He'll use you to get to me, if he can."

"Well," breathed Matthias. "As frightening as that is, you three haven't even been shown your rooms yet. And... that leads to why we brought you into here to talk, first."

"Mmm?" asked Daphne.

That seemed to cause the atmosphere to become quite uncomfortable; especially for the adults.

"We're going to need to know whether to put you in three, separate, rooms; or... one room," said Deece.

"One," Daphne promptly replied.

"But, we're not doing... that... yet," Hermione hurriedly added.

"Then, why one?" asked Cele.

"We've discovered that skin to skin contact for sustained periods strengthens the bond," replied Hermione. "And that sleeping together is the best time to accomplish that."

"You... haven't?..." asked Cele.

"No, Mum," replied Hermione a little irritated by the question. "Your daughter is still a virgin."

Ant let out a quiet sigh, where he was still standing looking out the window.

"However, there's going to come a time in the not too distant future where that statement will no longer be true," she continued. "Do you really want to know when it happens?"

"No," Ant hurriedly replied.

"Then you're going to need to stop asking because we won't lie to you," a frustrated Hermione firmly stated.

"You're not placing the bond at risk by taking things so slow, are you?" a worried Deece asked.

"According to Madam Pomfrey, yes," replied Harry. "But, according to our friend, Luna... who can physically see the auras given off by the bonds... no."

"It's a matter of balance," said Daphne. "At the moment, we're maintaining the bonds at a certain level. But, we're going to have to... do something about that soon."

Nodding, Harry said, "While we'd really rather prefer to hold things as they are until we're all at least sixteen years of age, that's not going to be possible. The bond is now strong enough where magic, itself, is urging us to finalise it.

"That being said... Matthias... Anthony... while we're all here... I formally ask for your daughters' hands in marriage."

That startled all four adults before the two mothers squealed almost simultaneously in excitement. Both men looked shocked as Anthony suddenly spun about and both men stared at Harry.

Matthias blinked a bit before he finally said, with a very expectant look from Deece, "Yes, Harry. You may have Daphne's hand in marriage."

"Thank you, Sir," Harry quietly replied as Daphne practically levitated herself into his lap and almost snogged him on the spot.

All eyes then turned to Anthony.

Hermione stared at him as if daring him to say no; with violent repercussions if he did. The same look was coming from Celeste.

Knowing all eyes were now upon him, Ant quietly sighed again and said, almost as if it pained him to do so, "Yes, Harry. You may have my daughter's hand in marriage."

With a squeal of 'Yes!' Hermione leapt up and jumped into her father's arms. "Thank you, Daddy!" she gushed, hugging him tight.

When Hermione released him and came back to switch places with Daphne for her own turn and kissing Harry, Ant quietly said, "I don't believe I've just given permission for my fifteen year old daughter to marry."

"We won't be able to hold a muggle wedding for Hermione until I turn sixteen, of course. And then it'll be in Scotland," said Harry. "But, we can hold a wizarding wedding this summer, if you like."

"Won't that make the muggle wedding... pointless?" asked Cele.

"For us, yes," replied Harry. "However, I don't know how we can invite family and friends of yours to a magical wedding. At least, with a muggle wedding in eighteen months, you'll be able to have family and friends at that one. That way, your family and friends won't think Hermione and I are living in sin."

"You leave that up to us, baby," said a recognised voice coming from near the doors.

All eyes suddenly spun to the voice, where the three guardian angels stood smiling. The voice had come from Della.

The first to speak, Harry said, "Hello."

"Hello, babies," replied Della smiling, as were the other two.

"Change of plans?" asked Harry.

"In a way," she replied before looking at the group as a whole. "We have an answer for your dilemma."

Roma stepped forward and said, "You can invite the family and friends of the Grangers to your magical wedding. They will, of course, see magic. However, it will simply slip through their consciousness. To them, it will seem to be a completely normal wedding. And they'll come away from it with memories of a beautiful, non-magical, wedding ceremony. Nothing will seem out of the ordinary for them."

Stunned, Harry, the Grangers and Greengrasses sat there, looking back in surprised shock.

"You can do that?" asked Cele. Giving herself a bit of a mental shake, she said, "Of course you can do that. You're angels."

"So, I take it... the boss... approves?" asked Ant.

"Oh; yes, baby!" grinned Della.

"Th... that's marvellous!" exclaimed Deece. "Does... do you have a time frame for this?"

"August," replied John. "Upstairs would prefer our three young friends here were all fifteen, at least."

"We'll need a venue, a celebrant, a florist, a baker..." started Cele, excited to begin planning.

Della held up her hand and said, "Whoa, baby."

When Cele settled down again, Roma said, "You have plenty of time for that. There are aspects of a wedding that are different for magicals from non-magicals; and aspects of a magical wedding that will not be required because of the soul bonds. Candice Marigold knows most of that. When necessary one of us will stop by to help steer her in the right direction.

"For your part, Celeste Marie, we understand the tradition of the Mother of the Bride in the wedding arrangements. We ask you to work with Candice Marigold, as we know you both can, so you can equally plan this day."

Both women glanced at each other before turning back and nodding.

Turning to the three teens, John said, "Harry James, Daphne Anna, Hermione Jean; you have done wonderful work, so far. The tapestry of life is returning to balance quite nicely. You have come a long way towards putting Heavenly Father's Great Plan back on track; but we also need you to hurry a few things up, now."

The three teens perked up and really focussed.

"First, complete the bonds between now and June. I know your parents didn't want to hear that, but they need to know for the wedding ceremony.

"Harry James, you'll need the bond firmly established before you arrive at the cemetery. Second, have Sirius Orion collect the Locket as soon as possible. Have him take it to you as soon as you return to Hogwarts; and use the circle to destroy the evil within it. Third, Harry James, when you return to Hogwarts, send Albus Wulfric after the ring as soon as you can. Your plan to do that, works for us.

"That will leave just the magically warped snake... and Tom Marvolo, himself. You'll know what you need to do when the time comes."

"Wait," said Matthias. "Harry has to face V-Vol... Tom Riddle?"

Looking back at Matthias for a long moment, John replied, "Yes. It is part of his destiny."

Della added, "You are allowed that knowledge because there's a prophecy sphere within your Department of Mysteries that contains the prophecy concerning this. Harry James, Daphne Anna and Hermione Jean have a concept plan to replace that sphere with one of their own making. They will need your help to carry that out."

"With that, we'll talk to you soon," said Roma, before all three angels suddenly winked out.

"Well," exclaimed Deece, as they all turned back. "I think it's time we organised these three their room, upstairs; give everyone a chance to clean up; and meet back down here in... say... half an hour for dinner. Sirius Black should be here by then."

"Sirius is coming here?" asked Harry, suddenly excited.

"Yes," replied Matthias with a smile. "We felt it would be unfair for Hermione to have her family here if you didn't have yours."

"Yes!" exclaimed Harry. "Thank you!"

Matthias chuckled and said, "You're most welcome."

Standing up, Deece said, "Come along, you three. Let's get that room sorted."

The three teens rose and followed Deece out of the room to head upstairs.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

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Deece led them upstairs and into the guest's wing. Stopping at the end of the hall, she opened a door and gestured everyone inside.

Looking at the size of the room, and the bed within, Daphne said, "You knew!"

Smirking back at her daughter, Deece replied, "Let's just say... I had a very good idea."

Hermione walked further in and looked within a large wardrobe. Inside she found all their clothes already hung up or folded in drawers.

"Everything's already unpacked!" she exclaimed.

"Of course, dear," replied Deece. "Our house elves are quite efficient."

With a gasp, Hermione continued, "My winter clothes from home are here, too!"

"Uh-hmm," nodded Deece. "Your mother brought them with her."

Slowly wandering around, looking in wardrobes and the like, Harry finally turned to Deece and softly said, "Thank you."

"You're most welcome, dear," replied Deece just as softly. Standing up a bit straighter, she said in a firm voice, "Now. Clean up, and we'll meet back down in the informal dining room in thirty minutes, alright?"

"Yes, Mum; thank you," replied Daphne.

Deece gave her a slight nod before she walked out the door, softly closing it behind her.

The three quickly got themselves sorted, during which Harry asked Daphne, "Are you alright with this? I mean; this isn't your room, right? I know it'd be more comfortable for you..."

"Hush, Harry," Daphne interrupted. "Please believe me when I tell you I'm now finding myself more comfortable sleeping in your arms... or with my arms over you... than I would ever be now in my own bed. You keep the nightmares away."

"You know," mused Hermione with a grin. "We've just been instructed by our guardian angels to hurry up and have sex."

Harry grinned back before he turned to Daphne. "But, we still won't do it until we're all ready."

Daphne blushed a little but kept her eyes locked on Harry. "Lets set that aside until we get back to Hogwarts. I'm sorry; but, I'd rather wait until we're not under the same roof as my parents."

"Don't want them to hear your cries of orgasmic release?" he asked, with a smirk.

The blush that only hinted at colour in her cheeks before now burned brightly on her face and neck. "Keep up with remarks like that, Mister Potter, and you'll be sleeping alone... on the floor."

"She's right," added Hermione. "Now, apologise for being crass."

Holding his hands up in the surrender gesture, Harry quickly said, "Sorry! You're right; it was crass."

"Hmmm..." she mused before turning to Daphne. "Do we forgive him?"

"We'll write it off as boyish excitement at getting new instructions from his guardian angel," mused Daphne. "But... if he's crass again... floor."

Nodding, Hermione said, "Agreed."

Harry slowly lowered his hands and said, "I can't win."

"Of course you can't," said Daphne. "Now, get your cute tushie in the bathroom and wash your face and hands."

With a sigh of relief, Harry ducked into the bathroom and did as he was told.

Twenty minutes later, the three were descending the stairs with Daphne in the lead. As she knew the layout of the house, she led them the shortest route to the informal dining room.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

As they walked in, they saw Sirius standing off to the side. "Sirius!" Harry happily exclaimed before ducking across to give his godfather a hug. One Sirius was happy to return.

"I hear you've been frustrating Ol' Twinkles a lot since I last saw you," said Sirius.

"Yep!" beamed Harry. "I figure he'll soon lose his temper with me enough to act without proper thought, and create a situation we can use to get him fired from at least one of his titles."

Sirius chuckled before pretending to sniffle and wipe a tear from his eye. "Your father would be so proud. Quite the little Marauder you're turning into."

"Alright, that's enough, you two," said Deece, chuckling a little. As she was speaking, the Grangers walked in.

"What did we miss?" asked Ant.

"Sirius encouraging Harry to misbehave," replied Mathias, holding a chair for Deece.

With an equal number of males to females, the ladies were all sat at the same time. Harry sat between his bondmates on one side of the table, opposite Cele who sat between Ant and Sirius. The Greengrass adults sat at opposite ends.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

After a very enjoyable meal, Matthias opened the semi-serious discussion after dessert by turning to Sirius. "You need to congratulate your godson, Sirius," he said.

"Why?" asked a surprised Sirius. "Did he score all Outstandings on his end-of-term exams?"

"No. He asked Ant and I for the hands of our daughters in marriage, this afternoon," Matthias calmly replied.

Sirius's head snapped to stare in surprised happy shock at Harry. "Pup!" he exclaimed. "Well done! And faster than... Wait." He quickly looked at Matthias and Ant before asking, "Did you two say yes?"

"Yes," both fathers replied.

"With the bond..." Matthias replied, before his voice trailed off. "Well, it's going to happen magically soon, anyway..."

Turning to grin back at Harry, Sirius exclaimed again, "Pup!" Leaning forward, he asked, "So, when's the wedding?"

"August," Harry replied. "When in August is up to Deece and Cele."

"Well done!" Sirius said again. Turning to Matthias, he asked, "Do we need to negotiate a contract?"

"Not if they don't want one," Matthias replied, indicating the teens.

Surprised by the question, Harry replied, "I... don't know." Turning to look at Daphne he raised an eyebrow to her in question.

"We'll discuss it, Harry," she replied.

Turning back to Sirius, Harry said, "I didn't know contracts were still used. But, Daphne's right, we'll discuss it."

"We'll need to," Sirius said, quite serious all of a sudden. "As well as being the Head of House Potter, you're also my Heir Designate for House Black. I would be remiss in my duties as both your Head of House for House Black and supposed Regent for House Potter if I didn't."

Recognising the seriousness of the situation, Harry nodded almost solemnly back.

"Good," Sirius said with a firm nod of his own. "Now that the legally-stuff is out of the way, have you collected the engagement rings yet?"

"Errr... Sirius," stuttered Harry. "I've only asked their fathers for their hands in marriage; I haven't specifically asked them yet."

"Too right," said Daphne. "I expect bended knee, the works, Mister Potter."

"Then, how about we go to Gringotts tomorrow, and we ask the goblins if we can go into the heirloom vault to pick up rings?" he asked. "I'm sure there'll be plenty from which to choose from within the vault. Or, we can go to a jeweller and you can pick something new?"

When he saw his bondmates wanted to see each other, Harry sat back to allow them.

The girls leaned forward at the same time and looked at each other. A few moments later, Daphne said, "New," while Hermione added, "Matching."

"A jeweller, it is!" Harry firmly stated. "Which is good. You two need to decide whether you want something to pair with the promise rings, or simply replace them with the engagement rings."

"Wow!" said Cele. "That was just... wow!"

"It's like they've been married for years, already; isn't it?" asked Deece.

All the adults nodded in response. The three teens blushed.

Suddenly realising what Harry had said, Cele sat forward and looked pointedly at Hermione. "Promise rings?" she asked.

Blushing in embarrassment for not showing her parents before, Hermione held her hand out palm down to her mother, across the table.

Taking her daughter's hand by the fingers, Cele looked down and saw the ring on her finger, up close. "It's beautiful!" she softly said. "I've never seen anything like it."

While Hermione explained the significance of the stones, their layout and the metal chosen, Daphne was showing hers to her mother. Harry had no idea the Greengrasses hadn't seen the rings before.

"Who designed them?" asked Deece.

"I did," Harry sheepishly replied. "But, it was the young lass at the jewellers who cleaned up the design before sending them off to be made."

"Still, did you design the layout?" she pressed.

"I did," he replied. "And what stones to use, the cut, in what order, and why."

"Well, they're perfect," Deece firmly stated. "The right amount of stone and they tell a story, as such rings should. Unique and understated. They'll immediately be family heirlooms when you pass and will come to represent part of your family history for future generations."

"Shall we retire to the parlour?" Matthias suddenly asked.

With nods, the party of eight moved into the parlour. Plans were made for the following day for the teens. Christmas shopping was also arranged.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

The next morning, all eight Floo'ed to the Leaky Cauldron before immediately heading into the Alley. Sirius took the three teens directly to the jewellers while Deece went with Ant and Cele went with Matthias to start their own Christmas shopping. They'd planned to meet for lunch back at one of the cafes in the Alley.

Harry led his party direct to the jewellers.

Entering, Harry was happy to see the same lass behind the counter. "Hello again," he said to her.

"And, hello again, Mister Potter," she looked back with a twinkle in her eye and a matching smirk.

"Yes, well," he blushed. "I hope you'll forgive me for the little subterfuge of our last meeting."

"Of course," she said. "And, what can I do for you, today?"

"I'll be needing matching engagement rings," he softly replied.

Looking back in happy surprise she said, "Well! That was fast!" She turned to the two girls and asked, "And you're the two lucky ladies who've found themselves bonded to our Mister Potter?"

"We are," replied Daphne, a little aloof, while Hermione only nodded. Their demeanour was lost as both girls blushed a little.

The sales witch grinned back before she moved over to slide a large tray of rings out from under the display case. Beckoning the three over to look, she asked, "See anything there you like; or will we be designing custom rings again?"

"It's up to you two ladies," Harry softly instructed his bondmates. "If there's nothing there that takes your fancy, I'm sure we can find something else; or, go custom."

Daphne looked up and asked the sales witch, "Anything more suited to a future Missus Potter? Certain... standards must be kept."

"Of course," the sales witch smoothly replied. She reached into a set of drawers behind her and drew forth another tray.

As she laid the tray on the display case alongside the first, Harry could see this one had more intricate rings with larger stones.

"Better," Daphne muttered, and both girls moved to scan through the second tray.

"Something with emeralds in a three stone setting? Or, multi-stone?" Daphne asked Hermione.

"Yes, and either," Hermione softly replied.

Suddenly, Hermione's hand snapped up with a finger pointing close to and at a ring. "That one?"

"Nice pick," said Daphne, looking closer. "Set it aside, and we'll see... that one!" Her own hand with pointed finger had come up to indicate another ring.

Looking forward, as well, Hermione breathed, "Nice. We'll set it aside, too."

The girls trawled through the entire ring collection - both expensive and cheaper - and had a good dozen rings set aside of similar styles. All of them had a single large diamond, or many smaller diamonds. All were settings offset with emeralds. All were solid gold bands.

After the first fifteen minutes Harry had drifted away from watching over the girls to the other side of the shop. And, while the girls were occupied, whispered with Sirius about buying matching earrings and necklaces.

Thinking about the sort of settings and arrangements the girls were looking at, Harry and Sirius quickly had a selection in mind.

"These would look nice for both of them for the Ball," Sirius whispered. "However, there are far nicer pieces within the Potter heirloom vault."

"I... understand that. However, I want the first two sets I give the ladies to be their own," replied Harry.

Sirius nodded in understanding and gave Harry's shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"Harry!" called Daphne.

"It seems the ladies have reached a decision," Sirius whispered into Harry's ear.

Both menfolk walked back to the other side of the store where both girls stood waiting.

"What have you two been up to?" Hermione asked a little accusatory.

"Browsing," replied Sirius.

Before Hermione could start to question more, Harry smoothly cut in and asked, "Reached a decision?"

Both girls looked at each other before turning back. "We need your help," replied Daphne.

Both girls stepped apart and indicated two rings sitting side-by-side on a black velvet cloth on the display case. One was a cluster of diamonds ringed with tiny emeralds; the other was a solitary diamond with a similar ring of tiny emeralds.

"Can't decide which?" Harry gently asked.

"No," Hermione replied with a little frustration in her voice.

"Then how about you tell me how you came to this point and I'll see what we can do from here," he instructed.

A quick glance at each other and Daphne covered how she came to decide on the cluster setting. Then Hermione gave a similar explanation on how she came to the setting with the solitary diamond.

Once she'd finished, Harry asked them both, "Tell me, what is more important to you? Is it that you match; or that you have the ring of your heart's desire?

"I know it's a nice idea to have matching rings; but, both of you are unique. There is no reason for you to have to be happy with the same choice." Turning to Hermione he said, "If the setting with the solitary diamond is the one you want; then, we'll get that one for you. Turning then to Daphne, he said, "And, if the setting with the diamond cluster is your choice; then, we'll get that one for you.

"Is this alright with both you ladies?" he asked.

The two girls looked at each other in surprise for a long moment before they both turned to Harry and kissed him on opposing cheeks.

Stepping back, Hermione said, "He's brilliant."

"Yes," said Daphne. "Who'd have thought?"

And both girls broke into laughter at Harry's expense while he blushed.

"Ha!" exclaimed Sirius. "Smooth, pup! Smooooth!"

Still blushing, Harry stepped forward between the girls and paid for the two rings. He was relieved to discover that both were similarly priced; but, winced almost imperceptibly when told what those prices were.

With a ring in each of two matching boxes, Harry pocketed them both and said, "Now we need to decide when I present them to you. Do I bend a knee in the presence of your family, or your friends?"

Another quick glance between the girls and they both said, "Family."

"Then, later this afternoon at the Farm, it is," he smiled.

With all three teens smiling at each other, Sirius looked over them at the sales witch and said, "And you, my dear, will not speak of this until these three and their families decide to make it public. Am I clear?"

"Of course," the sales witch replied with a little curtsey. "I suggest you speak with Adeline Bancroft. She's the high society social events reporter. She's not as... rude... as that Skeeter woman. Besides, announcements of engagements are her bailiwick, anyway."

"Thank you," replied Harry, with a small nod. "You've been most helpful."

The sales witch gave another small smile and nod in return as they left the store.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

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Shopping then began in earnest for the teens. They had to hurry to make what purchases they wanted through the various stores before meeting at the cafe for lunch.

A hurried lunch then led to a reorganisation of the three groups. Harry went with Deece and Cele, and Hermione and Daphne went with Matthias and Ant. Sirius prowled on his own as he first had to visit Gringotts to take care of some Black family business. The teens then switched which adults they were with. And Sirius met up with 'the boys' a little later.

When he caught up to Harry, Matthias and Ant, Sirius took Harry aside for a moment. "It's now official, Harry. You're my Heir."

Quite moved by the gesture, Harry quietly replied, "Thank you, Sirius. That means a lot to me. However, I hope you'll soon find someone who'll be the next Missus Black and produce an heir of your own."

"I plan on it, pup," his godfather replied with a smile and a hand on Harry's shoulder. "However, I'm not rushing things. And, I wanted to make sure that spawn of Malfoy couldn't get his hands on the Black fortune."

Harry just nodded in response.

By the time shopping was completed, everyone was pretty much exhausted, and they headed back to the Farm by Floo from the Leaky Cauldron.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

Once back at the Farm everyone headed for their rooms to drop off bags of shopping. Then Harry asked everyone to meet him in the parlour.

With Ant and Cele sitting on one couch, Matthias and Deece sitting on another, and Sirius in an armchair, Harry asked both girls to join him in the middle of the floor. With them standing side-by-side, he dropped to one knee before them both and took one of their hands in each of his own.

"I know this bond we share means we will marry," he said. "However, I also understand how important it is to young women the world over to properly be proposed to. And, though we share a bond, I don't want either of you to think it means you have to miss out on things, such as a proposal like your peers will receive when their time comes.

"So; Daphne Anna Greengrass and Hermione Jean Granger, will you both do me the great honour of being my wives?"

"Yes, Harry," they both said almost simultaneously.

With a happy grin, Harry let go of both their hands and reached into his pocket where he'd dropped both ring boxes in the store; and pulled them out. Carefully, he opened both boxes and removed the rings from within.

With Daphne, again, standing to his left and Hermione to his right, he held the engagement rings in each hand accordingly.

Both girls glanced at each other with a grin before both held forth their left hands, palms down and with fingers splayed.

Making sure to do both at the same time, Harry slipped the rings onto the ring finger of each. Thankfully, the two rings flashed together as they resized from a sizing charm.

He then stood and wrapped both girls into a three-way hug, as the adults all came forward to congratulate them.

"That was wonderful!" exclaimed Deece. "Both, at the same time. No fiancée has primacy."

"That was the idea," replied Harry. "I hope something similar can be arranged for the wedding. I don't want either of them to think they are my second wife; as I love them both, equally."

That earned him extra tight hugs and squeals of pleasure from both girls.

They separated to receive hugs and kisses from the elders before Harry asked both girls to step apart for a bit.

Once they'd separated, and the adults discussed other matters, Harry held a hand of each girl before him and quietly said, "I think we should tell them the truth about the true nature of the three-way bonds."

Both girls looked back with a little shock before both also showed trepidation. "Do you think that's wise?" asked Hermione.

"Yes," he replied. "Because of our angels they all know that this a bond made in Heaven. I think if we calmly explain it to them they'll accept it better than you think. And I don't want it to be a secret from them."

Both girls glanced at each other for a few moments before they both nodded. They were both clearly a little afraid of the reaction they'd receive; but, they were also agreed that it was a secret they shouldn't keep from them.

"Besides," he continued, "When we get married I want it to be a true three-way marriage. I don't want it to be me just marrying two wives."

Thinking while nibbling on her lower lip, Hermione suddenly looked up with understanding written on her face. "You want it so you marry both of us, I marry both of you, and Daphne marries both of us."

"Yes," he firmly replied. "As it should be."

"Alright," said Daphne. "But, you're the one who's going to have to tell them."

"I figured as much," he wryly replied. "I'm also feeling as if I'm being urged to tell them, anyway."

As the three teens turned to walk back to join the adults, Harry called out, "Could everyone please take a seat, again? There's another important matter we need to tell you."

Once everyone was, again, seated - this time with Harry sitting between both his bondmates on the longest couch - he sat forward a little and said, "There's another issue about our relationship we need to tell you about."

That got everyone's attention.

"What we didn't know when you were each told about our bond was something we didn't learn about until later," he explained. "Actually, it was Luna... using that natural mage sight gift she has... who made us aware of it. It was then confirmed by the school medi-witch, Madam Pomfrey.

"Luna saw that there wasn't just a soul bond between me and Daphne, and me and Hermione. She also saw that there was a latent soul bond between Hermione and Daphne that needed to be established. She let us know that the three-way soul bond was a true three-way soul bond. Using her gift she explained that the bonds between me and these two lovely ladies would not reach full potential without the simultaneous bonding between them."

"Wait," said Sirius. Indicating Hermione and Daphne he asked, "There's a soul bond between Hermione and Daphne, too?"

"Yes and no," corrected Harry. "It would be better to say there is a soul bond between Hermione, Daphne and I. It's one bond with the three of us. We had only been working on two-thirds of the bond and didn't know about the final third. That final third is the part between Hermione and Daphne."

Clearly confused, Matthias asked, "But, how can you possibly finalise such a bond?"

Hermione replied, "With Luna's and Madam Pomfrey's help, we have... discovered... that it is not the physical act of love that will strengthen or finalise a bond. It's all based on emotion.

"What we have discovered or otherwise determined is that the bond strengthens when our feelings of commitment and intimacy with one another is strengthened. If you think about it, sexual intercourse... coitus... besides being a physical act of love, is a representation of the ultimate in intimacy between two people.

"Harry logically argued that a soul bond couldn't form between two people when the act of sexual intercourse did not also contain emotional intimacy, such as what occurs in an act of prostitution... or rape."

"That's... quite profound," said Deece, sitting back and thinking to herself. "It would mean that what we have come to believe about the creation, development and sealing of bonds is wrong."

"Well, the creation of them is right," corrected Harry. "Just, not why it's right. John clarified it for me."

"And why is it a kiss that establishes the bond?" asked Matthias.

"For exactly the same reason a dementor sucks out your soul through the mouth with the Dementor's Kiss," replied Harry. "As odd as it sounds, the mouth is the most direct route from outside the body to the soul. Plus, connecting mouth-to-mouth is quite an intimate act. That is the time when two souls come their closest to one another in a moment intimate for both involved. Hence the term, 'Love's First Kiss'."

"Have you established the part of the bond between Hermione and Daphne?" asked Deece.

Both girls blushed while Harry calmly replied, "Yes. It occurred a few days after we found out about it, in the presence of both Luna and Madam Pomfrey, in the infirmary at Hogwarts. And, yes, there was also the bright flaring of silvery aura between them. Only this time, it also covered me.

"Immediately after the aura glow faded, Madam Pomfrey confirmed the establishment of the part of the bond between them."

"And why have you decided to tell us about this, now," asked a visibly but quietly perturbed Ant.

"Because, when we marry in August, I think it's a good idea for the wedding... not to be just me marrying Hermione and Daphne, and each marrying me... but, me marrying Hermione and Daphne, Hermione marrying me and Daphne, and Daphne marrying me and Hermione; a true three-way marriage. And Deece and Cele needed to know this for their plans for the wedding."

"You're alright with this?" Ant asked Hermione, directly.

"Yes, Daddy," Hermione quietly, but firmly, replied. "Remember who set this up."

With a visible sag of surrender, he said, "I don't know how those three... angels... are going to work this so our family and friends don't see anything wrong..."

"There is nothing wrong to see, anyway, Sir," Harry firmly interrupted. "I know the mores of Christianity erroneously view a marriage must only be between a man and a woman, but you know now that is incorrect. You know it."

With a gesture of his hands in quick surrender, Ant quickly said, "Forgive me, please. It... was a poor choice of words." With a sigh, he continued, "I meant... how the angels would stop our family and friends seeing that which would completely shake their personal worldviews."

"I don't think that's what's going to happen, Ant," said Matthias. "From what I figure, your family and friends will still see everything; it just won't appear to be anything... out of the ordinary... for them. I daresay they'll be magically compelled not to talk about it later."

"That was my impression, as well," added Deece. "If it doesn't happen, their memories of the event will have to be removed from them."

"What? Why?" asked Cele.

"The International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy for our world was established in 1692 to hide us away from the muggle world," explained Matthias. "However, that was well before the creation of spells and potions that could remove the memory of the magical world from the minds of muggles. It was also too much, too late.

"By 1692 the witch hunts, in England, were at an end. The last known witch to be executed was a muggleborn witch by the name of Temperance Lloyd, a decade earlier. And, very quickly after that, witch hunting became a crime punishable by death in the muggle English courts. No such witch hunting that has lead to the death of another has occurred since.

"No, the Statute was only passed by the newly formed ICW, the International Confederation of Wizards, because of the rise of such witch hunts in other parts of the world. It was no longer a problem, here. Though, to be fair, we didn't know that until about a century later."

"And, though Magical Britain doesn't know it, or won't accept the truth of it, those in senior enough positions of authority within the United Kingdom... muggle Britain... government are well aware of the existence of magical Britain and the rest of the wizarding world," added Harry.

"Pardon?" asked a clearly shocked Matthias while Deece looked back in fear.

"Look. The Wizengamot derives its name from the Witenagemot; which is an Old English word meaning 'Meeting of Wise Men'. They, because there was more than one and up to about a dozen, were councils of the ennobled and important ecclesiastical members of society formed to advise the current kings. They're known to have existed from sometime in the seventh century to the eleventh century.

"In the eleventh century it was replaced by the conquering Norman King, William the First, by the single Curia Regis... King's Council... which then remained until the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. The Curia Regis then quickly morphed into what became the founding of modern Parliament with its various ministries.

"Now, if there's one thing any organised body that is successful generates a lot of, its paperwork... parchmentwork. You have records of meetings, legislation, notes, minutes, reports, all sorts of things like that. And, as is their wont, such paperwork is rarely destroyed. Such documents form the basis of records in large libraries. Even the Wizengamot and the Ministry of Magic know this and work that way.

"So, even though the Statute made it international law to keep the wizarding world a secret since 1695, there have existed records of the wizarding world, in the muggle world, since as far back as the seventh century. That's over a thousand years of bureaucracy documenting everything. Yes, a great much of that has since been destroyed; but, not the very important stuff. Historians and record keepers of their day would not have stood for it.

"Also, spells and potions, including the Obliviation curse, do not destroy those documents. A great many of them still exist through to today. So, it is not a stretch of the imagination to come to the conclusion that the wizarding world is well known by the muggle world in positions of great authority in muggle government. The chance it is not is so slim as to be considered nigh impossible.

"What the Statute of Secrecy actually manages to accomplish is to keep the average muggle citizen unaware of the wizarding world; not the muggle world as a whole. It would not surprise me, in the slightest, that the United Kingdom has departments within their multitude of bureaucracies that are tasked with monitoring wizarding Britain; nor, that the same could be said for other governments around the world."

"Sweet Merlin!" breathed Matthias, utterly shocked with the truth of Harry's 'lesson' in English government history. "Why did none of us think of that?"

"One of the main differences between the muggle world and the wizarding world is that those raised in the muggle world have grown up knowing to question practically everything. Muggles are far more inquisitive than magicals. There are a great many muggles whose job in life is to discover knowledge. Some do it as historians, some do it by observing and experimenting with the modern world in its various facets, and some look to what knowledge does not exist now and try to figure out when the answers will be able to be discovered.

"Those raised in the wizarding world, however, often come to the conclusion that something is so because of magic, and don't look any further. They don't understand the tenets of what's known as 'critical thinking'... Never assume, never accept; always question. The most powerful word in the lexicon arsenal of a muggle is: 'Why', closely followed by 'What', 'When' and similar. And they will not accept the answer, 'Because it is'. And Cele demonstrated that when she immediately asked 'why?' when you said the Obliviators would need to be called in if the angels didn't do their thing to the muggle guests at the wedding. For her, it was nearly an instinctive reaction to ask."

"Annnnd... that's just brought us back to the original question," said Deece. "I suggest we leave things there so we can go and enjoy the evening meal the elves have made for us. I don't know about the muggles having their worldviews upset; but, that knowledge has just upset ours."

The eight then headed into the informal dining room for a wonderful dinner. By unspoken agreement, the subject of wizarding secrecy law was not discussed again.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ