Marriage Law

AN: Personally, I think a 30 year old uber-hottie Dumbledore
is just what I need. Leave the hairless whelps for the pervs. They can read
Draco fanfic ;) Since fanfiction dot net has taken down Scarlet Women it is
available at lordandladysnape dot com.

Also, I see Hermione doing domestic things automatically
because since she is an only child it would be her job in her parent’s home.
Her friends are all boys, except for Ginny, all bachelors, and all
disorganized. Must drive her batty.

Marriage Law Chapter 35

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Thank you for making it down this early,” a short man in a
brown mac said to a tall man in a long black raincoat who was holding an
umbrella.

“Nigel, its pouring down,” said the taller man. “You’ll
catch a cold.”

“Better out here than in there,” said the shorter man.

The door to the small cottage opened and a man wearing
rubber gloves and carrying a camera came out.

“We’re done with the pictures, Nigel, Thomas,” said the man,
nodding at each of them. His curly red hair stuck out in all directions and his
green eyes sparkled. “You can take another look before we bag and tag him.”

“Don’t know how you do it, Ryan,” said the taller man,
shaking his hand. “Gives me the shivers.”

“Wherever there’s a mystery, forensics will always be there
to solve the case,” the red haired man boasted.

&;

“Off with you now,” said the shorter detective. “Give us a
minute.”

The red haired man scuttled off to a white van and the tall
man chuckled.

“Must’ve driven Alice
nuts when they were kids,” said Thomas.

“Drives me nuts now,” said Nigel as he pulled two pair of
rubber gloves out of his pocket and handed a pair to the man holding the
umbrella. “But she thinks it’s cute that I work with her brother.”

“What can you do?” Thomas chuckled as he struggled with his
gloves and tried to keep his umbrella up.

“This one’s creepy,” said Nigel, opening the door to the
house.

There was a corpse on the floor. A blonde lanky man was
taking pictures from all different angles. A brown haired stocky man took
picture of several objects in the room. A dark haired woman with her hair in a
bun was taking notes in a black book. She turned as they entered.

“Good morning, gentlemen,” said the woman.

“This is Detective Byron, Detective Morgan” said Nigel. The
taller detective shook the woman’s hand.

“Please to meet you, Detective Byron,” said the woman. She
was wearing a feminine black suit and a white shirt. “This isinteinteresting
case. Has Detective Warren filled in the details?”

“No, he just said I should come out,” said Byron.

He looked down at the corpse. The priest lay prone on the
floor. He was positioned as if he had answered a knock at his back door. A look
of fear was plastered across his face.

“Know anything about him?” Byron asked.

“Not a lot,” said Morgan. She flipped her book closed and
let them to the kitchen. “His housekeeper found him. We talked to her about an
hour ago. Thinks some neighborhood children gave him a fright and his heart
gave out. He’s led his parish for over twenty years. Christened every child for
miles. Married most couples around here. No one ever had a problem with him.”

“You’ll be talking toer per people, of course,” said Byron.

“Of course,” she stiffened.

“Thank you, Shelley,” said Warren.
“We’re all a bit off this early in the morning.” He elbowed Byron.

Byron mumbled an apology and offered to fetch coffee and
cookies for the crew.

“Thank you,” said Morgan. “That would be wonderful.”

Byron shuffled off and Morgan turned to Warren.

“No, I was going to have a chat with the housekeeper and put
the file in ‘unsolved mysteries,’” Morgan said sarcastically.

“He’s not used to competence,” said Warren.
“So good at his job they put him in charge of the interns.”

“Poor man,” Morgan winced.

&n

“Loves it,” said Warren.
“Knew he’d be our man.”

“I certainly hope so,” said Morgan.

***

“Madame Bones,” said Byron into a small black cellular phone
as he walked down the street. “I believe we have a problem.”

***

“Apparently the Weasleys are joining us for Christmas,”
Severus said, reading a scroll from his mother.

“Does that surprise you?” Hermione said as she cast her
line. “Pieter and Arthur really hit it off.”

One of the elves had remarked there was an invisible barrier
on her ledge and she had no chance of falling. Since then, Hermione had
promised Severus she would join him at least once. So far she had caught three
fish and Severus had caught none. She couldn’t figure out why he seemed to
think something he was so easily infuriated with was relaxing. As she pulled
out her fourth he gave up and began reading his mail.

“Mother always liked a full house,” said Severus. “She has a
lot of sisters.”

“Must be nice when your house is that big,” said Hermione.
“How many Aunts do you have?”

“Eleven on that side,” said Severus. Hermione paled. “Two on
fathers.”

“Wow,” said Hermione. “That’s a lot of kids to herd.”

“You should talk,” said Severus, rolling the scroll and
placing it next to him on the ledge. “You’re trying to mother an entire
school.”

“That’s not fair,” Hermione said, scowling at him.

“You’re 18 years old, Hermione,” Severus said. “Please.
Frolic.”

“I beg your pardon,” Hermione said, a bitter look on her
face.

Severus found himself laughing. Not this usual chuckle or
clicking sneer, but for once a full laugh. Hermione looked startled.

“Sometimes you remind me of me,” said Severus. “It’s a bit
disconcerting at times.”

Hermione threw him a dirty look and recast her line. She
hoped she caught another one, just for spite.

***

A post owl swooped down through an owl entrance of 12
Grimmauld Place a crisp November afternoon and
burst into the kitchen. It dropped several letters in a red tray beside the
wide chute before it sat on a nearby perch and hooted.

Harry padded over in stocking feet and scratched the owl
behind his ear tufts.

“Got a few, Neville,” he said as he fished out the style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Daily Prophet and a scroll. He passed a
scroll and a blue shimmering envelope to Neville. He pocketed the envelope and
unrolled the scroll from his Gran.

“Gran says we’re all going to the Snapes for Christmas,”
said Neville, his eyebrows raised.

“Who’s ‘we?’” Harry asked as he reached for a bowl in his
kitchen.

“Apparently all of us,” said Neville. “You too, Ron.”

“Not bloody likely,” snorted Ron as he stirred a pot of
soup.

“Your mum’s already agreed,” said Neville.

Ron grumbled into their lunch, but didn’t say anything more.
Harry seemed awfully cheerful.

“You seem keen on the idea,” said Neville.

“First time in France,”
said Harry, chancing a glance at Ron.

Ron didn’t seem to notice, but Neville knew the real reason.
Harry and Ginny had been writing an awful lot of owls to each other lately.

“I hope the rest of his family isn’t so creepy,” said Ron as
he served soup to Harry.

“Pieter seemed alright,” said Neville. “That Anna and your mum
showed each other baby pictures all night.”

“Didn’t know you could fit so many pictures in such a small
wallet,” remarked Harry.

“The one of Bill naked on a rug was cute,” Neville chuckled.
“You should send that one to Fleur.”

“Not a bad idea,” said Ron. “If I can wrestle it away from
mum.”

“You’re a great brother, you know that Ron?” Harry said as
he sat down with his soup.

Neville looked at it
and got up to get his own.

“I do try,” said Ron, smiling widely.

“Glad I’ve never made you mad,” snorted Neville as he poured
himself a bowl of soup.

Neville still had a bit of a limp, but didn’t require a cane
anymore. Occasionally he still carried it because he thought it made him look
debonair.

Green flames leapt high in their hearth and they turned to
see Hermione stride into the kitchen.

“Hey, Hermione,” said Harry cheerfully. “You’re just in time
for lunch.”

“Already ate,” Hermione said. “Is that Mrs. Weasley’s potato
soup?”

She had crossed the kitchen and was peering into the pot.

“It’s her recipe,” said Ron.

“Well, maybe a bit,” she said, grudgingly.

“Don’t eat the candy,” Neville said as she sat down. A small
dish of glistening ribbon candy sat in the middle of the table.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” said Hermione. “Is it from Fred and
George?”

“Yup,” said Ron, shoveling soup into his mouth.

“What does it do?” Hermione asked.

“No idea,” said Harry. “No one’s been willing to try a
piece.”

Hermione shook her head and blew on her soup.

“Does he treat you well, Hermione?” Neville asked.

Everyone at the table froze.

“Honestly,” said Hermione, annoyed. “I should type up a
press release.”

Harry laughed and tried to shake out the stiffness Neville’s
comment had struck him with.

“He’s smarmy, but decent,” said Harry. “Trust me. I know.”

“Gods, that’s creepy, Harry,” Neville shivered.

“Must take some getting used to,” Hermione said.

“It’s really convenient, actually,” said Harry. “I know all
these spells and I didn’t even have to study.”

“Zap me, Harry,” said Neville, jokingly. “I could use some
help in the memory department.”

“Knowing you, you’d get it all mixed up,” said Ron, shaking
a spoon at him. “Crack the earth in two trying to make a cup of tea.”

“Probably right,” Neville said sheepishly as everyone else
laughed. “Got a letter from the Department of Experimental Horticulture,
though.”

“Yeah?” Harry asked. “What did they have to say?”

“Want me to work for them,” said Neville.

“Congratulations, Neville!” Hermione exclaimed.

“That’s great news,” said Harry. Ron nodded and sipped at his
soup. Hermione had heard nothing about Ron working at all. She hoped he wasn’t
just mooching off Harry.

“Gran’s really proud,” said Neville. “I think she’s kind of
relieved I’m not an auror. That last skirmish was enough for this family.”

Hermione nodded and glanced at Harry. He looked almost
pained for a moment, but it passed quickly.

“So what brings you to see us?” Ron as

“Do I need a reason?” Hermione asked.

“Thought you’d be working,” Neville said, looking at the
clock.

“Blaise has it covered,” Hermione said. “It’s calmed down
immensely since we made Hodgekins and Gilby fertilize the gardens with dragon
dung and very small shovels.”

“I imagine it did,” Ron chuckled.

Neville made a disgusted sound.

“I hear we’re going to spend Christmas together,” Harry said.

“All of us?” Hermione said, her eyes widening.

“Anna hit it off with mum and Neville’s Gran,” Ron said.
“She’s staying here, but Neville’s coming with us.”

“Wow,” said Hermione wondering how big the estate was.

Harry fixed her with a strange look.

“Not that I don’t want to see you all,” said Hermione,
looking at him. “It’s all a surprise and I’m wondering how large the house is.”

“This house could sleep that lot,” Ron said. “I’m sure his
house is the same size or larger.”

Green flames crackled in the hearth and Remus Lupin walked
into the kitchen.

“Are you going to the Snapes for Christmas, as well?” Ron
asked as Remus entered the kitchen. “And don’t you have classes?”

“Not that I know of,” said Remus, looking mildly surprised.
“And no, I’m free this afternoon.”

“You can come if you want to,” Hermione said.

“I’ll pass,” Remus said. “But I’m sure these fools will drum
up something for New Years.”

“Bit early to plan,” said Harry. “But probably.”

“I’d like to help,” volunteered Hermione.

“What’s wrong, Hermione?” Ron asked.

“What makes you think anything is wrong?” Hermione asked.

“You’re here in the middle of a school day and you want to
plan a party at someone else’s house,” said Ron. “Don’t you find that a bit
odd?”

Hermione looked back at the eyes boring into her and sighed.

“Severus seems to think I need to get out more,” she sighed.

“Well, I agree with that,” said Ron. “The Ministry will be
accepting applications soon. You should apply.”

Hermionenedened her mouth to protest, but Neville
interrupted her.

“You can’t stay at Hogwarts your whole life, Hermione.”

Surprisingly, she closed her mouth.

“Wow, Neville,” said Ron. “You have to teach me to do that!”

Hermione made a face at him and ate a spoonful of soup.

“Hey, Hermione,” said Harry, not wanting to see a
disagreement on such a good day. “Do you and Snape want to come to my first
game?”

“If he can get away,” said Hermione.

“He’s ‘Severus’ now, Harry,” said Remus, sitting near
Hermione and elbowing her.

“I’m sorry,” said Harry, shaking his head.

“Must be confusing, sometimes,” said Hermione. “I’m sorry
Harry.”

“Hey,” said Harry. “I’m alive.”

“And things have been settled,” said Neville, darkly.

Hermione looked at Neville. Helly lly did look older.
Harder. She wasn’t sure this was a good thing.

“And it’s over,” said Lupin. “Thank God.”

They ate in silence until their bowls were empty and
Hermione cleared them away.

“It’s kind of neat, though,” said Harry, breaking the
silence.

Ron cracked a smile at him.

“You the most powerful wizard in the world, Harry?” Ron
asked.

“I think I might be,” said Harry. “Have to talk to
Dumbledore.”

“That’s funny,” Neville said thoughtfully to Hermione as she
set the dishes on the basin.

“What?” asked Hermione.

“Harry still needs acknowledgement from Dumbledore to see
his own talents,” said Neville.

“So?” Hermione asked. Neville stood so he could talk to her
in lower tones. They began washing dishes together.

“So,” said Neville patiently. “Talking to Harry, You-Know-Who
was really involved with a feud with Dumbledore. The killings were bait. The
Deatheaters were bait. The Ministry was a chessboard. The whole thing was
personal.”

“Still,” Hermione said. “He doesn’t know the extent of
Dumbledore’s knowledge.”

“True,” Neville admitted.

“And most of the spells transferred from You-Know-Who
probably aren’t even legal,” said Hermione.

“That’s not true,” Harry said loudly.

“What?” asked Hermione, dropping a bowl with a loud clang.

“Many spells I learned were perfectly legal,” Harry said. He
tapped a glass of water with his wand and ice formed slowly. An ice rose grew
and bloomed before it became crystalline.

“Wow, Harry,” Hermione breathed as she took the glass from
him.

“It’s permanent,” said Harry. “Will you pass it on to Ginny
for me?”

Ron gave Harry a look Hermione couldn’t decipher, but she hazard
a guess.

Ron liked Harry. They were best friends. Harry was a good
person. However, Ginny was Ron’s little sister. No matter how old she was, she
was Ron’s little sister.

“Sure,” said Hermione. “She’ll be the envy of every girl at
school.”

“What? With a mug like that?” Ron gestured at Harry.

Harry burst out laughing. Hermione was thankful he was
accepting his appearance without getting strange about it. Well, except for the
Hogsmede incident.

“Sure,” said Hermione.

It was true. Most of the young girls were in awe of Harry.
Most of the counseling had to do with fears of Voldemort hiding somewhere in
Harry, ready to do him harm, not of Harry himself. A muggle-born girl suggested
an exorcism.

“You’re just jealous you aren’t getting any fan mail,” Harry
said smirking.

“Fan mail?” Hermione asked.

“Oh, yea,” said Neville. “Got a room to go through it all. Seems
like the whole world had to send an owl.”

“Oh, this I’ve to sto see,” said Hermione, laughing.

Harry embarrassedly showed her the room that was intended to
be his den. Piles of letters towered on his desk and unopened mail bags
littered a corner of the room.

“Good Lord,” Hermione breathed. “You’re answering them all,
Harry?”

“The twins are helping,” admitted Harry.

“The twins?” Hermione asked, confused.

“They figured out how to enchant a Quoting Quill to write in
my handwriting,” Harry said.

“Don’t you mean a Quik Quotes Quill?” Hermione asked.

“No,” Ron said, appearing behind them. “Quick Quotes have
themes.”

“Themes?” Hermione asked.

“Yea,” said Harry. “Rita Skeeter had a ‘Tragic’ one. They have other ‘flavors’ like Romance or Annoyed.”

Hermione giggled.

“Quoting Quills just take dictation,” said Ron. “Better that
way.”

“No kidding,” said Hermione practically choking at an image
of a lonely witch getting an ‘annoyed’
letter from Harry. “You don’t want anyone to accidentally think you’re
proposing.”

Harry made a face.