He nodded and replied, "I do. However, as I said, she was 'pushing' me too hard. I have made my decision and I do not like people trying to force me to change it.
"If anyone wants to discuss something with me... when I'm not otherwise busy... then I will discuss the reasons for my decision. However, Angie was being damned rude coming over each time I was eating to interrupt my meal. That is considered a great insult in this world, Hermione. It basically states, 'What I have to talk to you about is more important than your need to eat'.
"What she should have done, in all three situations, is written a note and passed it to me. That's precisely what Finch-Fletchley did and he's a muggleborn. Angie's not."
Hermione nodded. "Thank you for explaining that, Harry."
Harry smiled back and drew her in for a proper kiss.
When they finally drew apart again, both blushing, he said, "We need to go back to the castle. Neville told me the others will be waiting for us in the entrance hall.
She nodded.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Walking in through the main doors, they immediately spotted the other five waiting for them. Harry hadn't had a chance to see Daphne and Tracey since their return, except by seeing them and giving them a small wave each at each of the three breaks.
Neville gestured for them to follow him and he led them all into the antechamber. As soon as all seven of them were within, Harry threw a Colloportus on the door and added a privacy charm for good measure.
Once done he gave a sigh of relief and turned to the others.
"Just think," said Neville, "It's only the first day, not even halfway done yet."
Harry gave him a wry look and sarcastically returned, "Thanks."
It only had the other boy grin even wider.
As Harry gave a snort of amusement, Hermione was busy catching up with the other girls.
Neville gave a firm nod and braced himself up a bit. "Before we get too carried away," he said, looking to Harry and Hermione. "Harry... Hermione... Alliance Secret."
That had both teens look back.
The other boy gave a small smirk, cast a glance towards the two 'Puffs and said, "My father is currently in negotiations with Mister Abbott about a Betrothal Agreement between Hannah and me; and also in negotiations with Madam Bones about a Concubine Bond Agreement between Susan and me."
Both already knew, of course, but both feigned surprise so the boy did not know Marchbanks had already told them. It would lead to questions they couldn't yet answer.
As Hermione let out a very girlish squee sound and practically threw herself into a hug with both girls, Harry grinned at Neville as he walked over and said, "Congratulations, my brother." And shook the boy's hand as he placed his other hand on the other boy's shoulder.
"Thanks," blushed Neville.
"I hope you know and understand how lucky you are."
Neville almost shyly nodded back.
Releasing the other boy's hand he then walked over to the two girls. Hermione had already backed off a little, so he just stepped past and dragged both girls in for his own hug. "Congratulations, you two."
"Thank you," both replied with a blush.
Directing her question to Hermione, Daphne said, "I thought muggles were against concubinage."
Hermione smiled back and said, "Not just against it, it's illegal. But, as Harry explained to me while he was staying at my place, this isn't the muggle world, is it? I have to treat it like a foreign country that has significantly different laws, but where everyone speaks with a British accent."
Daphne was immediately relieved. What she needed to do might not be immediately discounted, after all.
Once the congratulations were out of the way, she called, "Lord Potter, Lady Presumptive Hermione, I have a matter of what my father considers of great importance for me to speak with you about."
"Oh-kay," said Harry. "Would you like us three to go somewhere to discuss it?"
She shook her head and replied, "No; but, thank you. I do not mind our peers from within the alliance being aware of this."
"Very well," said Harry. "How may I assist the Noble and Ancient House of Greengrass?"
She hesitated a moment before she seemed to reach an internal decision and said, "I would like and ask of you to consider the idea of you, Harry, and my Lord negotiating a Concubine Bond Agreement between you and myself."
Hermione gave a little gasp.
He looked to her and she seemed almost in awe of the situation. He'd guessed right, again. And she was surprised, this time. She shouldn't have been, considering the warning they'd received from Marchbanks.
Harry turned back to Daphne, who appeared quite worried, and said, "Hermione and I are in the Lords' Quarters. It's private and will afford us a place we can talk, without interruption. Do you know where it is?"
"No, I'm sorry," she replied.
"No need to be. It's on the fifth floor, directly above the Transfiguration corridor. Actually, it's almost directly above the Transfiguration classroom. In that corridor there is only one ornate door. It's also about as wide as one of the doors into the Great Hall, but normal height. When you walk down that corridor you'll easily find it.
"Hermione and I have a class for next period, but not one for the last period. We have Astronomy with the Hufflepuffs late tonight.
"Do you have a class for sixth period?"
"Yes, actually," she replied. "Transfiguration."
He gave a nod back and said, "We have Potions together next; but, once you finish Transfiguration, how about you come up and talk with us? If you have trouble finding it, I'll have arranged for my personal elf, Dobby, to come if you call him. He can then show you the way."
"Thank you," she said, with a relieved sound.
"Actually..." he said, looking around, "How about you all come up and see it for yourselves, after classes?" Turning back to Daphne he said, "That is, of course, if it's alright with you?"
She gave a pleased nod back.
Checking her watch, Hermione said, "We need to go. Some of us need to get all the way up to the fifth floor to collect our books and potions equipment for this next class."
Checking his own watch, Harry realised she wasn't exaggerating. "Damn; she's right."
As soon as he removed the privacy charm and the Colloportus on the door he opened it for the others.
As Daphne was about to pass, he softly said to her, "Don't worry too much about the decision. Hermione won't be as against this as you may fear."
She paused for a moment to look at him before she almost visibly sagged in relief. She gave a tiny little nod and kept going.
Instead of going all the way up to the fifth floor, as soon as they reached the first floor, Harry grabbed Hermione and dragged her into one of the abandoned classrooms there.
"Harry!" she quietly squealed, almost pleading. "We'll be late!"
"No, we won't," he firmly replied.
With the door almost closed completely he firmly called, "Dobby!"
The little elf appeared only a moment later.
Offering him his satchel, he said, could you replace what's not needed of the contents for what we need for Potions?"
"Of course, Master Harry," replied the elf. A quick finger snap and both he and their satchels disappeared.
"Oh, Harry," sighed Hermione.
A moment later Dobby was back and holding out both satchels.
Taking both, Harry said, "Thanks, buddy!"
As Dobby popped away again he then handed his over to Hermione with a smirk. "We won't be late, now."
The look he got in return was the one she now reserved for him when she was feeling as if he just 'rightfully' made her feel stupid.
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