Chapter 5
Hermione had long week. After she had spent the last few days at home researching for Draco’s trial and spending time with Leda, as well as Blaise and Her Aunt Eloise. The night before Fred’s funeral, she floo’d over to Grimmauld place to give the Weasley family some time to be together before the funeral. When she stepped out of the floo grate into the Kitchen, she noticed harry walking down the steps into the room.
" Harry! " He looked up at her for the first time noticing that she had arrived.
" Hermione, I wasn't expecting you until the morning.”
he cleared his throat. " I have been trying to clean this place up a bit to keep busy since on you left "
Harry how are you feeling? "
" I don't know Hermione. I can't sleep without seeing all of the bodies lined up along the great hall. I keep replaying the last year over, and over in my head to come up with things that might have saved even just one person. The only time that I feel hope and calm, is when Ginny comes over, but she is spending more time with her family.”
By the time he was finished He was sitting against the bottom row of cabinets twirling the wand that used to belong to Draco Malfoy with his forearms propped up on his knees. Hemione sat down beside him and laid her head on his shoulder before replying.
" I keep dreaming that I am waking up in the tent the morning before we broke the taboo and that winning the war had been dream. And then we are taken to Malfoy manor where Bellatrix continues to torture and carve me up. But in my nightmares, she gets bored and decides to replace me with one of you. Then I hear her torture Ron and then its your turn, but the stinging jinx has worn off and she recognized you. She calls for Voldemort and when he arrives, he kills Draco for not recognizing you sooner and then he kills you as Ron and I watch. Then I can't wake myself up.
Usually, Blaise has to pull me out of the nightmare and force feed me a calming draught before I can function normally. We did everything we could to end the war as quickly as possible Harry. The deaths we witnessed was not your fault, it was Voldemort and to a certain degree dumbledore at fault. You were a means to an end for Voldemort and a pawn for dumbledore. None of that was your fault, Harry.”
She reached for one of his hands as he laid his head on hers. They had spent a lot of time like this on the run after Ron had left.
" Aren't we a right pair. Do you believe we will ever be alright again? "
“With time we will be. After what happened, I would be more worried if we were completely fine. Now tell me more about how your feel around. Ginny. "
she got slight smile in return for a Changing the subject, Relieved with how well they understand each other.
" I can feel when she walks into a room. Its like taking the draught of peace but so much. better. I know that she is anything but calm but that is how she effects me.”
“Harry, that isn't just your love for her, has anyone talked more about your family magic? "
" No, why would they need to tell me more about magic than what we learned at Hogwarts? "
" Because there is so much more to magic than spells. Family magic has developed and evolved over the history of your family. Family magic also has its own traits, its one reason why you excel in Defense against the dark arts, why your hair is black and has a life of its own, and why your eyes are identical to your mothers.”
" What do you mean about my mothers eyes Hermione? She was muggleborn; she doesn’t have a magical family history.”
" She doesn't need one Harry. Muggleborns are born with magic that doesn't have any preconceptions, it is grey. The witch or wizard makes the choice over their life about how what their magic will become. Your mother’s magic was grey; she did not use darker magic, but she did use old magic like the night that she died when she used her love to save you. Her magic seems to have presented in her eyes. eyes that you. have been told your entire life were your mothers.”
“Is that why the Weasley’s all have red hair?"
“Yes, it's also why they tend to do well in charms, except for Ron. He seems to have more Prewett magic than Weasley, they tend to be more strategic. Its why Ron has blue eyes but Ginny doesn't. "
Harry nods along but still seems slightly confused. " Why don't they teach this at Hogwarts? "
“They teach it in magical house holds so there is no need to. Current legislation prevents muggleborns from being integrated sooner and to keep them marginalized. Because you were raised with muggles no one decided to tell you. I couldn't because of the vow but there is a lot more to family magic than traits."
" Is it like that everywhere? ".
" No, the only other country that has similar laws is Bulgaria. Every other country integrates muggleborns much sooner. Most other countries also cherish their muggleborns, because of their new magic. "
" Why? "
“Because new family magic can revitalize the magic of established families. Magic itself is grey, it is the family that tend to make it more light or more dark but if it goes too far in either direction then it can become corrupted like the Blacks and the Gaunts. But we are very far off topic.
I asked what you knew about family magic because of how you feel around Ginny. "
“What does my magic have to do with Ginny? "
" Everything harry, well not everything your feelings are yours, but your magic Knows you and what you need better than you do. What you feel around Ginny is your magic indicating that you have met your match. The one person that can give you everything you could ever need. "
“Why didn’t I feel like this before? "
“Because even though you were 17, the horcrux inside of you was fighting your family magic, made it confused. Now that you are no longer a Horcrux your magic has settled "
“What would this mean for our future? "
" Nothing overly complicated. It means that you can marry at your family stones and marry traditionally which has more benefits than marrying with the binding performed by the ministry.”
" I don't have family stones Hermione. "
" Yes, you do Harry. Now that you are over the age of seventeen you will get your full inheritance, which should include the family home of the potters too. Your parents were killed while in hiding harry, they weren't in the family home. The family wards would have locked themselves down until you came of age. Or it would have gone to a magical guardian. Your family stones will be on the property "
" How do I find out? "
“We go to Gringotts, they may not like us very much at the moment, but it will be better for them if you have your full inheritance "
"Can we go check now? If we can, I would like to live there instead of Grimmauld, There are too many memories of the dead here, and I don't want to deal with Walburga anymore.”
Hermione lets out a laugh before she looks at the clock to check the time.
“Its only 4:30, we should be able to make it in time”
They stood before heading to the floo to head to a Diagon Alley. they stepped out of the hearth at the leaky cauldron and made their way to the brick wall before Harry tapped it with his ward to reveal the entrance. They briskly made their way down the alley and took in the damage that still needed to be repaired from the death eater raids.
When they walked into Gringotts, the goblins started to glare down at them as they made in their way to the desk of the head goblin.
" I would like to access my inheritance. "
" Vault Key "
When harry handed over the Key, the goblin raised his eyes to glare down at them both.
“Harry Potter you robbed our bank and destroyed it on the way out, not to mention releasing our Security Dragon.”
Hermione decided to step in at that moment.
"As the head of the Potter family, you will have more to gain from continuing to work with him. If that is not enough then we can move his assets to the medici bank with a charmed wallet. If you need an oath for security to put the incident behind us, then that can be negotiated. "
Harry stared at Hermione with wide eyes as the goblin directed his scorn towards her.
“You both will need to take an oath to follow the policies of the bank, and you will replace our Security dragon "
“We can make the oath, but we will not replace the Dragon. What you did to that creature was barbaric. We will help you procure an alternative like a sphinx or a chimera but nothing that will need " training " and reinforcement, like a dragon and we will not be paying for it. "
Harry, continued to gape at her as she negotiated with the goblin.
“Make the oath now and include procuring a chimera to replace our dragon.”
“I, Hermione Jean Granger swear on my magic to adhere to the policies of Gringotts bank and help them procure a chimera for security purposes. So, mote it be. "
A dull glow surrounded Hermione before sinking into her skin. Harry followed suit before the goblin agreed to take them to Harry's vault. When Harry got to the vault that he had visited for the firs time with Hagrid, he gave Hermione a questioning and confused look.
“This is simply a trust vault harry. It would have been set up after your parents died to provide for you until you could access the main vault when you turned seventeen. Inside there should be your family ring to access the main vault as head of house. "
Harry nodded as the goblin stared to open the door with his key. Once the door was open Harry started to look around before he notices a ring in the back left corner of his vault. When he picks it up, it starts to heat up in his hand before it glows and returns to it rightful color. As he puts it on his right index finger, it automatically sizes to fit him. Upon it is a coat of arms that features the letter P surrounded by vines and filigree and the motto " Virtuti Fortuna comes " underneath it.
When he gets back to the vault entrance, Hermione gives him a bright smile before talking to the goblin.
" Take us to the main Potter vault please. "
" Ring please?”
Harry hands over his family ring for the goblin to verify. Once harry had it back the goblin started the cart to take them deeper into the bank. After a few minutes they come up beside a large door with the crest on his ring in the centre.
" Can she come with me?
" You must be touching as you pass through to the door to permit her to enter.”
Harry nods before grabbing Hermione’s hand to pull her out of the cart.
“Place your ring on the crest Harry. "
The doors open into a vault that was about the same size as the Lestrange vault they had broken into and full of books, gold, jewelry, artwork, and other precious items.
" The potter family is old, not as old as others but still old. Their motto is fortune favors the brave and I think that fits you quite well. Any information will be in a property asset ledger. As the head of the house, you can summon things in the vault. "
“Accio Property Asset ledger! "
The book started making his was its way towards Harry from the bookshelf on the right side of the vault.
“We can bring that to Grimmauld place to go through, is there anything you want to at look at while were here?”
“I would like to look for a ring for Ginny "
Hermione could not stop the grin that overtook her face at his declaration.
" Well let’s find one! It looks like the Jewelry is on the right side there. "
Harry led the way to a big section of Drawers against the wall. As they got closer, she noticed that the Drawers were labelled by the type of Jewelry that was inside. Harry made his way over to the ring section, which he noticed was surprisingly small.
“Rings aren't as common for engagement gifts in the wizarding world as they are in the muggle world. Normally a witch is given a bracelet or a necklace because they are given a family ring during the binding ceremony. "
" Do you think Ginny would like a necklace more? "
" It is your choice Harry; you could give her a ring to honor your mother and it could be switched to her other hand during the bonding, but personally I believe that a necklace would be more practical since she plans to play professional Quidditch.”
“You're right, lets find her a necklace.”
Harry started searching through the drawers of necklaces until he found a beautiful platinum goblin made necklace with a Lily pendant made from marquise cut Rubies and diamonds.
" I think its perfect for her harry. "
" Me too, it doesn't need to be a ring to honor my mother. "
“No it doesn't. lets go back to Grimmauld. "
Harry nodded before placing the box with the necklace into Hermione’s beaded bag with the ledger. They exited the vault and climbed back into the cart to head the back to the main bank. They passed by the glaring goblins again to make their way through the exit to apparate back to Grimmauld place. Once back in the Kitchen Hermione sets the ledger on the table while she sat down and gestured for Harry to look through it. He opened the ledger and stopped on the third page, as he moved the book towards Hermione with excitement.
" Its in Nantmor, Wales Hermione! Look, it is called Potter Hall”
Hermione looks at the page before jumping to embrace harry.
" We can floo over now if you want to. "
" Of course, I do! Grab your things! "
They both rushed off to grab their clothes before meeting at the floo once more .
" We will need to floo together because of the wards. "
" Potter Hall "
They stepped out of a hearth into a room with mahogany floors and wainscoting. Ivory cream paint above the wood paneling with paintings of the landscape. All of a sudden there is a pop.
“Master Potter is home! I is Mimsy. I Is the head House elf of the potter family. We has been waiting for master potter to come home since he became head of House last year. "
Harry looks startled as Mimsy threw herself to hug Harry’s leg as she sobbed through her happy exclamations. Hermione nodded at him encouragingly with a bright smile on her face.
" It is very nice to meet you Mimsy. I am sorry that I never came, I only found out about potter hall this evening. Would it be alright if I moved in and my friend Hermione stays with us for a bit? "
" Of course, Master Potter, I wills got put your things away in the master suite and missy Hermione's things in one of the guest rooms. "
" Mimsy, do you think that you could call me harry? "
“Of course, Master Harry." Hermione laughed.
" That's as good as you will get harry
" I can't believe they didn't leave. "
“They wouldn't. They are bound to the Potter family and knew that you would be back eventually. They seem to be happy if not a little lonely."
“This is almost too much Hermione. "
“You will adjust Harry. We should go reinforce the ward Stones and bless them since they haven't been for almost 18 years, do you, mind calling for Mimsy to see if the potter family has an Athame that they use? "
" You will have to teach me. Mimsy!” With a pop she was there.
" Yes master Harry? "
" Does the family have an Athame they use to renew the ward stones, and the family stones? "
" Yes, master Harry, I will get it for yous! "
Within a minute Mimsy was back holding a decorative box that she presented to Harry. They got up and made their way out the front door. Harry stopped once he got outside to take in the white stone and brick country house that is the potter family home with Awe. The only place that he had ever felt so at home was with Ginny and Hermione. He belonged here.
" The ward stone will be along the edge of the property. You will cut your palm with the Athame and drip your blood onto it while speaking the words that come to you.” Harry Nodded.
They then found the ward stone along the Northern border of the property Harry followed Hermione's directions to renew the Stone before they moved on to find the family Stones.
" You will do the same thing with your family stones, but you will smear your blood on the centre stone. The centre stone is the main stone that channels the potter family magic. The type of stone will also be unique to your family. They usually keep family stones in a sacred place, you should know where to go intuitionally. "
Harry closed his eyes and felt himself being drawn to a grove of Ash trees on the back side of the property passed the gardens. When he passed through the trees he came to a stop when he set his eyes on a black stone about three feet tall and one foot in diameter. The centre stone was surrounded by four narrower stones planted in line with the 4 directions.
" Black tourmaline in the centre for protection, surrounded by beautiful tree agate for stability, Onyx for strength, Amazonite for courage, and Calcite for confidence. Potter family Values "
Harry starts to speak while smearing his blood on the tourmaline. When he finished, he made his way back over to Hermione feeling rejuvenated but exhausted at the same time. They made their way back into the house.
“We need to ask Mimsy where our rooms are.”
“Mimsy "
" Yes, Master Harry? "
“Would you be able to show us to our rooms please? I think we would like to head in for the night”
“Of course, master Harry, follows me please I will bring up supper for both of yous. "
" Thank you Mimsy.”
The next morning Harry and Hermione were enjoying a meal in the dining room before they went to the funeral for Fred. There was no conversation as they tried to prepare themselves for what was to come. When the time came, they floo’d over to the Burrow to join the Weasleys. When they stepped out of the floo, Most of the Weasleys were in the living room dressed in black robes except for George. Ginny noticed them first and made her way to stand beside Harry.
" George won't come down or talk to any of us. Mum is getting pretty desperate to talk to him.”
“Why don’t I go see if I can get him to come down. "
" Thanks, Hermione. "
Hermione nodded before making her way up the stairs to the room the twins shared. She knocked on the door before slowly opening it to see George lying on one bed staring at the ceiling. She walked slowly over to the bed before laying on the bed beside him. She followed his gaze to see different color marks on their ceiling from their experiments.
“I’m not going to ask how you're doing because its a redundant question. But I do want to tell you that everyone in this house loves you. I brought a draught of peace with me if you want to take it. It won't make everything okay, but it will help to take the edge of a little. I will also be there for you the entire time; you don't have to be alone in your silence. "
When she finished, she looked over at George before standing up and walking to the other side of the bed, she reached for George’s hand to pull him up from the bed to embrace him quietly.
“Can I have the draught? "
“Of course, you can.”
Hermione rooted through her beaded bag before finding the draught of peace and handing it to him. He drank the potion without even making a face.
" Do you feel we functional now? You can tell everyone you don’t want to talk at all before and during the ceremony. They will understand and respect your choices George.”
“Can you please? I don't feel like it at the moment, I can still hear his voice if its quiet.”
" Of course, I will be right back. Would you be able to apparate me to where were going?”
George nodded before Hermione made her way back to where the rest of the family is moving when they saw her coming down the staircase she was bombarded with questions from the whole family.
“George took a draught of peace. He did ask that no one talk to him today, or rush at him. I won't leave his side and he knows how much you all love him. Now would you all go to the ceremony? We will be right behind you.”
Mrs. Weasley looked like she was about to argue before Arthur put his hand on her shoulder to stop her. One by one on the Weasleys left the burrow for the Ottery St. Catchpole cemetery. Hermione made her way back up to Georges room, to let him know that it was quiet, and they could leave. George grabbed Hermione’s hand in a death grip before they disapparated. Hermione stayed with George at the back of the crowd for the entire service and would shake her head when anyone looked like they were about to approach them.
When everything was over Hermione took the lead to apparate George back to the burrow.
“If being here becomes to much, let me know and you can come stay with me for a few days. You will not be a burden or a bother. You can even hole yourself into a room and not leave for a few days, and a house elf can drop off your meals. Just send me a patronus when you need to and I will tell you where to go.”
George pulled Hermione into a traditional to Weasley hug.
" Thank you "
He croaked like he was on the brink of tears.
" Anytime George. I will leave you be. Here's another draught of peace if you need it.
She set the pearl white potion on the dresser in the room before heading back downstairs, she gave each of the Weasleys a hug before letting harry know that she was going to head back to Potter Hall. The next two weeks were packed with the funerals of Lupin, Tonks, Colin Creevey, Lavender Brown. Snape, and the rest of the fallen fifty.
Throughout the week, Hermione was also talking to people who had direct contact with Draco over the last year to testify on his behalf. So far Luna, Neville, and a few other students from the younger years have agreed, as well as Theodore Nott and Daphne Greengrass who had been head girl along with Draco when Snape was the headmaster. Hermione planned to spend the rest of the week planning Draco's defence with Blaise and Narcissa (by owl) to make sure that he is acquitted. With Draco’s trial only a few days away, they were read