Marriage Law

AN: To all who have reviewed: thank you. This little bunny
challenge has gotten way out of control thanks to the encouraging mail I have
gotten. It was intended to be a bit of fluff, but evolved into something a
little meatier.

Steph: How long did it take you to read all 28 chapters in
one sitting? My God, I’m impressed. I’m glad you like it.

I found the word Abraxas in my book called ‘Composition of
Scientific Words.’ It’s a Greek magic word whose letters when written as
numerals add up to 365. Sounded mystical to me.

Luna: Loki was Jotun that rose to godhood. He gave birth to
the eight-legged horse. If he did it once I don’t see why no one else could in
1500 years.

Megan: I agree. Matthew Lewis is a cutie. He needs to turn
18 quick so I can stop feeling like such a pervert.

Also I wouldn’t really call a husband and wife consummating
their marriage a family secret. Personal maybe, but considering Charlie was the
only person in the house that knew the marriage was a ruse, Cherv mentioning
they were sleeping in, in Severus’ quarters wouldn’t have seemed strange at all
to the elf.

15,000 hits on AFF.net WOW!

Marr Law Law Chapter 29

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione, Severus and Ron sat in a waiting room at St. Mungo’s.
The room had two doors, one going into the hospital and the other was the only
door to Harry’s room. Both doors had two aurors guarding it. The aurors in the
hospital hall stood erect on either side of the door, impressive looking and
grim. The aurors in the waiting room were playing cards on a small table. Some
of the aurors had been called back, but six were on duty at all times, standing
guard on the other side of the walls without doors.

The Ministry was taking Harrys condition very seriously.

Molly, Arthur and Dumbledore were in Harry’s room. They had
been in there nearly 30 minutes and Ron was beginning to fidget.

Hermione had paled, but still possessed a slight greenish
tinge to her skin.

The door swung open. Molly looked slightly pale, but had a
tired smile on her face.

“He’s going to be all right,” she said. “Considering.”

Hermione nodded and took a deep breath.

“You can go in and see him now,” said Dumbledore. “I’m sure
he’d appreciate seeing someone normal, for a change.”

Molly gave him a look but Hermione and Ron practically leapt
to their feet and ran to Harry’s door.

Hermione stopped Ron with a hand on his arm before he flung
open the door. He stopped in his tracks. She looked at him and he took a deep
breath before opening the door calmly.

Severus watched as Hermione and Ron quietly entered the
room.

“Hello, Harry,” Severus heard Hermione say as the door
closed softly behind them.

“Well?” asked Severus, steeling himself for anything.

“Are you familiar with the idea of mind-melding?” Dumbledore
asked.

“Its part of a muggle fable, is it not?” Severus asked.

“Not such a fable any more,” said Arthur running a hand
through his light red hair. It seemed to have gotten much whiter then Hermione
could have imagined possible in the last few weeks.

“He has all the
Dark Lords knowledge?” Severus asked.

“All of it,” said Molly, brusquely. “He’s lucky to be
alive.”

“Indeed,” said Severus nodding, his eyebrows raised. He was
surprised the boy wasn’t mad. He wondered what depraved knowledge he had been
exposed to.

“But apparently it is
Harry,” said Arthur shaking his head. “Horrible burden for a boy to have to
bear.”

“Harry has done more in 18 years than most lifetimes ever
see,” said Dumbledore. “If he travels the right path he’ll become a very wise
man.”

No one could think of anything to say.

***

“Wow, Harry,” said Ron.

“The healers say they’re working on it,” said Harry. “But I
wouldn’t hold your breath.”

“You thought people stared at you before,” Ron mused.

“Ron!” Hermione said sharply.

“He’s right, you know,” said Harry quietly as he set down
the hand mirror he had been holding. His light blue pajamas looked rumpled and
a stack of Ron’s comic books sat near the bed. Molly had brought them to keep
Harry busy and away from the Daily
Prophet.

Hermione didn’t know what to say to Harry. She had a stint
as a cat once and felt deep sympathy for him. She had recovered frhe
he
polyjuice potion. He probably would never recover.

“Well, look at the bright side, Harry,” said Ron. “You’ll
probably never have to wait in line for anything ever again.”

Hermione and Harry both looked at Ron in bewilderment.

“Never mind,” muttered Ron.

“You’ll probably never be able to return to the muggle
world,” said Hermione softly.

“I know,” said Harry. “I don’t know if that upsets me or
not.”

“Wouldn’t be that upset if I was you,” snorted Ron.

“Why is that?” Hermione asked curiously.

“A scout for the Hornets was in the Ministry the day of the
attack trying to get a floo connection for his new house,” said Ron excitedly.
“Saw you on your broom, Harry. He was really impressed.”

“What did you do on your broom?” Hermione asked.

“Well there was a bit of air battle getting in,” said Harry,
shrugging.

“Bit of air battle?” asked Ron incredulously. “It was some
of the best flying I’ve ever seen. You should have seen it, Hermione!”

“You’re lucky you’re such a good flyer,” said Hermione,
finally snapping. “I can’t believe you just ran off to do this yourselves. It
was stupid and thoughtless of you!” Her stern tone had risen in pitch and was
approaching a screech. She had finally snapped.

Dumbledore opened the door to y’s y’s room to see what the
commotion was. Hermione shot him a look and he backed out.

Ron began to worry.

“Hermione-,” Harry began.

“Don’t you start!”
Hermione boomed. “You could have gotten killed, or worse. You should have
waited for the others.”

“They never would have let us go,” protested Ron.

“With good reason!” yelled Hermione. “What if the
Deatheaters had gotten hold of Harry?”

“Well, they didn’t,” said Harry, raising the eyebrows over
those green serpentine eyes of his.

“Well, isn’t that convenient,” Hermione said testily. “Just
because it worked this time total chaos is justified!”

Ron threw his hands up behind her and she wheeled around on
him. He stepped back and stumbled into a chair.

“And you,” Hermione began. In Ron’s eyes she seemed to get
bigger than she really was. Her nostrils flared. “You should have known better.
Of all people.”

“What, ‘of all people?’” Ron exploded back at her. His
fingers were white clenching the arms of his chair. “You weren’t here,
Hermione. It was pandemonium! No one could organize, the Ministry was in
pieces, Dumbledore was missing-,” Ron rattled out.

“I know,” said Hermione. “I had to go get him.”

“You knew where he was?” breathed Ron. “Everyone’s been
really secretive about it.”

Harry was politely silent. He knew nothing about this,
Hermione could tell, but was curious.

“I-I don’t know if it’s somethingrealreally wants everyone
to know,” said Hermione. “I really wish I could tell you.”

Harry nodded, but Rons face screwed up at her.

“Oh come on, Hermione,” Ron persisted. “It’s all over now.”

“It may not be,” said Hermione. “The Amazons have an obscure
prophecy that might apply.”

“How many prophecies can one person have about them?” Ron asked,
looking at Harry.

Harry shrugged.

“If it makes you feel better, I’d rather there are no
prophecies about me at all,” said Harry, sounding tired.

“I’m sorry, Harry,” Hermione said. “But you idiots had me so
worried and I was so far away…” ioneione trailed off.

“How was Russia?”
asked Harry.

“Oh, you don’t want to hear about my trip,” said Hermione.

“Of course I do,” said Harry. “It will be a normal subject
for a change. Maybe you’ll even stop yelling.” He quirked a corner of his mouth
at her. It made him look sinister.

She made a face at him and told him about her trip.

“His mother sounds desperate for grandchildren,” laughed
Harry. “Be careful if you don’t want a brood.”

Hermione blushed furiously. Ron didn’t look deliriously
happy, but he managed to shake his head at her and give her a small smile. Ron
kept repeating to himself Severus could offer her more and she loved him. The
pain would pass. Percy could council him that much.

“Come on, Hermione,” said Ron awkwardly patting her on the shoulder.
Hermione felt a pang of regret.

“I don’t think it would be a practical time to start a
family,” said Hermione. “I mean, if one were to happen.”

“You haven’t even gotten that far, have you?” Harry asked,
laughing.

“Well, it’s not as if we’ve had a lot of time to talk about
it,” Hermione said, flustered.

“You haven’t even talked about it?” Ron asked,
incredulously.

“We haven’t been … intimate for that long,” Hermione said,
annoyed. She could not believe she
was having this conversation. “I’ve known you for years and I don’t know how
many kids you want.”

“None,” Ron said.

“None?” Hermione and Harry echoed.

“I’m sure I’ll have plenty of nice nieces and nephews to
entertain me,” said Ron. “Then I can give them back and go far away.”

Harry laughed.

“You’ll change your mind when you meet the right girl,” said
Hermione. “That’s the same thing Viktor said and look at him and Tristan.”

Ron scowled at being compared to the Quidditch player. Hermione
ignored his look.

“I’d like a couple, maybe,” said Harry thoughtfully.
“Although I’m not sure who’d be with me now.”

“Don’t say that, Harry,” said Hermione.

“Yea,” said Ron. “If you aren’t married by the time you’re
30 the Ministry’ll make you pair up and you’ll get a wife. She might even be
nice.”

“Ron!” Hermione said, shocked.

“I’m sure that’s going to be one of the first things to go,”
Harry laughed. “A lot of things at the Ministry are going to change.”

“I don’t doubt that,” Hermione said. “Mr. Weasley has been
working really hard. There’s talk he may become Minister of Magic.”

“My dad?” Ron asked, stunned. “Minister of Magic?”

“Well there’s not many from the Ministry left, are there?”
Hermione asked. “Many remember Fudge trying to discredit your father when he
wanted to get prepared for the Dark Lord.”

“Your dad’s a hero, Ron,” said Harry.

“Wow,” said Ron, looking surprised and a little proud.
“Might get a little respect out of this after all.”

“We’ve always respected you, Ron,” said Hermione softly. He
grinned at her and hugged her back when she flung herself in his lap and threw
her arms around him. It was good to have her back.

“I leave for two minutes and I find you in the arms of
another,” came a cold voice from the doorway. Ron felt the color drain from his
face. Hermione looked at his expression and burst out laughing.

“Stop doing that!” Hermione demanded. “They’re not your
pupils anymore.”

“I am aware of that, wife,” said Severus sneering at her.

She blew a raspberry at him. Harry was fine. Ron wasn’t mad
at her. She was in a fine mood.

Severus felt his lips tremble and finally let out a small
chuckle.

“How am I ever to keep up my reputation if you keep amusing
me, so?” Severus asked, placing his hands on his hips.

“Not my fault your façade was so easily shattered,” Hermione
said. Ron wrapped his arms around her, feeling her weight in his lap. He firmly
nodded in agreement.

“Just don’t let it get out,” Severus sighed.

“Mums the word,” said Harry. Severus looked at the slitted
green eyes and shivered. The boy truly looked frightful.

“I would hope so,” said Severus hoping it would have some
meaning for Harry.

“Hermione, Ron, can you please leave us for a moment?” Harry
said. “Severus and I have a bit to talk about.”

“Of course,” said Hermione, realizing what knowledge Harry
possessed. Severus’ Deatheater days. She imagined they would have a bit to talk
about.

Hermione and Ron rose to leave the room.

“Want us to smuggle you anything, Harry?” Ron asked.

“Chocolate frogs, if they have any,” said Harry. “There
should be some money in my pouch. It’s in the drawer over there. Get whatever
you want, as well.”

Ron rustled a bit in the drawer and came up with a heavy
purse that jingled.

“Thanks, Harry,” said Hermione. “We’ll be back in a bit.”

Ron and Hermione left with a soft click of the door.

Severus turned and looked at the face split by a lightning
scar. The slitted green eyes narrowed at him.

Severus looked into the eyes of his two greatest fears
rolled into one. He could do a number of things. He chose the honest way for
the sake of his wife. He told the truth.

“I love her,” said Severus softly.

Severus’ facial muscles relaxed and Harry looked at Severus
as if for the first time. Severus looked very tired and worn.

“You must,” said Harry. He paused. “I do remember everything
that ever happened in Tom’s life.”

Severus looked at Harry quizzically and sat down in the
chair next to the bed.

“Tom?” Severus asked.

“Well, no matter how much power he got and what titles he
gave himself he always thought of himself as Tom,” said Harry rubbing his
forehead and the area between his eyes. Severus felt sorry for the boy.
Historians would be bothering him for the rest of his life.

“It-,” Severus started. “Your knowledge must be-“

“Incredible,” said Harry. “You have no idea.”

“I have a small idea,” said Severus.

“You-,” began Harry fumbling for words that he didn’t ever
think he would hear himself say. They had a difficult time coming out of his
mouth. “Are an incredibly brave man.”

“Thank you,” said Severus sincerely.

&nbso:p>o:p>

“Take care of Hermione,” Harry said. “If you don’t I will be
most displeased.”

Severus shivered for the second time that day.

“I will,” said Severus.

***

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Ron asked
Hermione. They were walking back from the cafeteria clutching bags full of
vending machine candy and sandwiches.

“Probably about Severus’ time as a Deatheater,” said
Hermione. “I wonder if Harry can activate the Dark Mark.”

“Do you know about Severus’ past?” Ron asked.

“Not a lot,” Hermione admitted. “He tells me in bits and
pieces. I think he’s more embarrassed about it than anything.”

“Aren’t you curious?” Ron asked.

“I’m not sure I want to know,” Hermione said with a shrug.
“I’ve already seen his library.”

Ron suddenly stopped in front of a door. Hermione stopped
and looked through the window in the door to see what he was staring at.

A stuffed vulture perched on a witch’s hat. It bobbed
slightly as the witch talked. It didn’t look as if anyone was sitting up and
talking back to her. Hermione looked at Ron and he looked at her guiltily.

Hermione pushed the door open and the witch turned around.

“Hello, Mrs. Longbottom,” said Ron as he and Hermione walked
into the room.

“Hello, children,” said Mrs. Longbottom. Hermione mused
they’d be grandparents and Mrs. Longbottom would still be calling them
children.

“How’s Neville?” Ron asked and was instantly sorry. He
winced slightly.

“Still sleeping,” said Mrs. Longbottom. “He did have a bit
of a shock. It will probably take him a bit longer than you did to come
around.”

“Probably,” Hermione said forcing herself to smile.

“They say he can hear people when they talk to him,” said
Mrs. Longbottom. “You should say hello.”

Hermione forced Ron to walk forward and go around to the
foot of the bed. Neville lay motionless on white sheets. His face looked
thinner than she remembered it ever being. His blue pajamas looked crisp and
new and his hair was freshly combed.

“Heya, Neville,” Hermione said cheerfully. “We miss you
terribly.”

“We sure do,” said Ron. “Harry beat you in waking up. You
need to catch up.”

Mrs. Longbottom beamed at them.

“I keep telling him he managed to avenge his parents,” said
Mrs. Longbottom. “I don’t know if he understands yet.”

“I’m sure he does,” Hermione said softly. “I was there when
the wave hit.”

Mrs. Longbottoms smile seemed frozen for a second, but she
nodded at Hermione.

“Good,” Mrs. Longbottom said. “He was very fond of you. If
he’d been of age he’d have petitioned for you himself.”

Hermione blushed slightly and Ron stiffened beside her. How
much competition had he been up against, anyway?

“He’s always thoughtful of others,” said Hermione a bit
awkwardly.

“That’s our boy,” said Mrs. Longbottom proudly. “Just like
his father.”

Ron smiled and nodded politely, a smile frozen on his face.

“Look at the time!” Mrs. Longbottom exclaimed. “If I want to
see Frank and Alice I have to get going.”

Hermione and Ron said their good-byes to Mrs. Longbottom and
Neville; then quickly left the ward.

“Well, that was creepy,” muttered Ron walking quickly along
a corridor. Hermione had to quicken her pace to keep up.

“Most of her family is here, Ron,” said Hermione. “I can’t
imagine how she holds it together.”

Ron was quiet while they made their way back to Harry’s
ward. His walking slowed down a bit.