Chapter 15

Hermione spotted her target seated in the Gryffindor common room, playing chess with Dean.

She sank onto the sofa beside him and placed her stack of books on the floor.

Hannah drifted over. "What do you have there, Hermione?"

"Just some books about paternity spells," she said casually.

Hannah recognized her cue. "Ooh, are those the ones Harry is looking for? Neville and I ordered some extra from Flourish and Bott's, but why does he need them?"

Ron's head whipped around. "Paternity spells? Who does Black think he is?"

"He didn't say why he wanted them," said Hermione innocently.

"You know why!" Ron thundered. "He's going to use them on Ginny!"

"Oh is that why?" Hannah asked. "Well probably…I mean, he wouldn't just take her word for it, would he?"

"I doubt it." Hermione murmured. "With all that money at stake? I'm sure they'll check and recheck!"

Ron jumped to his feet, sending the chess pieces flying, and stormed out of the tower.

Hermione and Hannah exchanged significant looks.

"What!?" Ginny Weasley shrieked. "They can't do that! They can't offer such an insult to a pureblood House!"

"When a lot of gold is involved, there's nothing people won't do!" Ron scowled. "We have to warn Percy; he'll think of a way out."

Ginny paled as she lifted her shaking hand to her mouth. "What if he can't? What if it's too late for that? I should never have let him talk me into this…I've lost Michael and may lose everything now!"

"You?" An ugly look was in Ron's eyes. "And what about the rest of the family? Not worried about us, are you? Percy will think of something."

Harry sat down beside his father, wishing Daphne was with him. But she had not been permitted to appear at the hearing of the Heritage Commission.

Instead the Blacks faced the panel composed of Elijah Cumming, Griselda Marchbanks, Tiberius Ogden, and Louisa Eldritch.

Across from them sat Percy and Ron Weasley.

Ogden frowned. "Tell me, Mr. Weasley, why you are not accompanied by your Head of House?"

Percy faced them undaunted. "My elder brother suffered severe injuries in the final battle against the Dark Lord, and is still recovering."

Griselda leaned forward. "And your sister? Since this claim most nearly affects her, she should definitely be present."

"She is understandably upset by her loss," said Percy smoothly. "Surely, she should receive some consideration due to the death of her betrothed?"

"Nevertheless, she must be available, or this hearing cannot proceed."

Percy said something to Ron, who rose and left the chamber.

After ten minutes, Ogden shifted irritably. "All of us are busy people, Mr. Weasley."

Percy seemed to be sweating. "I'm certain she will soon arrive. My brother has gone to get her."

Susan Bones ran up to the Gryffindor table, bouncing with excitement. "Have you heard the news?"

"What's happened?" Hannah demanded.

"Ginny Weasley has eloped with Michael Corner!"

"So, did either of them get disowned?" Hermione asked Terry.

"No. Michael's an only child, and the oldest brother refused to cast out Ginny, so they're fine," Terry reassured them. "They are living at the Corner home in Ireland for now but plan to transfer to Durmstrang next year."

"The Weasleys should have to pay a fine or something," Hannah frowned.

Daphne shook her head. "We're just happy all of the legal wrangling is over. Now we want to concentrate on NEWTS and graduation."

Hermione sat up with a gasp. "Yes! That will be here before we know it! We need to start revising right away."

Her friends all looked at her and grinned.

"Study group!" They said in unison.

Six years later…

In Grimmauld Place…

Harry stepped out of the floo in time to catch a wobbly toddler.

"Da!"

"Got you, Siri! Where's Mummy?"

"Right here!" Daphne struggled to get her arms around both of her boys, slightly impeded by her visible pregnancy.

"I was afraid you'd get home late! Dobby has already laid out your dress robes."

"I'd better get going!" Harry bounded up the stairs, passing his father on the way.

"There goes the floo, probably Neville and Hannah," Sirius commented.

Harry groaned. "I know, I know. I'll hurry."

He showered in record time, scrambled into dress robes, and practically raced downstairs.

Neville grinned at him. "Caught up in ancient artifacts again?"

"Like you're not fascinated with any new plant that comes along!" Harry retorted. "I'm all set now though."

Hannah gave the tiny girl in her lap a quick kiss. "Be good for Uncle Damocles, Alice, and play nicely with Siri."

"We'd better hurry or we'll miss the wedding." Sirius insisted. He held out a thin blue ribbon, they all got a finger on it, and the next minute found them on the grounds of Bones Manor in Cornwall.

"Hmm, Susan needs to update her wards," Harry observed.

"But not tonight," Daphne said firmly. "Tonight we're here for Susan and Ernie's wedding."

"Right you are," Harry agreed. "There's Hermione."

"When are she and Terry going to tie the knot?" Neville asked.

"Next spring," his wife informed him. "During the Hogwarts Easter break."

"Good thing they finally got rid of Binns," Harry commented. "Terry will do much better."

"He could hardly do worse," his father snorted. "This is a fine estate…not far from the beach either. I've been thinking, we might want to look into buying a little cottage on the coast for summer holidays."

"The children would enjoy it," Daphne agreed.

Harry laughed. "Padfoot would enjoy it!"

"Say no more." His father waved his hand cheerfully. "I'll start searching tomorrow."

"But today," Harry said cheerfully, "we have a wedding to celebrate."

Daphne took his hand. "Sometimes I feel like every day is a celebration."

Harry lifted her hand to his lips. "I only hope you always feel that way."

She smiled into his eyes. "I know I will."