On returning to their apartment, Harry suggested they both change into wizarding casual.
"Why?" asked Hermione. "I've not seen anyone do that before. And, aren't we expected to be wearing uniform to dinner?"
"Nope," he replied. "The only time we're required to attend dinner wearing uniform is when it's a feast. And, I suggest the change of clothes as we'll be discussing Alliance and House matters, this afternoon; not dealing with school matters."
"Oh," she replied. "Well, alright then." And went off to get changed.
After smiling at her back for a moment, Harry put deed to word and went and got changed, himself.
When they both met up in the common room again - 'Living room,' he thought. 'It's not a dorm.' - Hermione curled up on one of the sofas and said, "I think we need to discuss this, Harry."
Harry was happy to do so, and was sitting alongside her a moment later.
When it looked like the girl did not know where to begin, Harry started. "You're worried what your parents might say if I go ahead with this, aren't you."
Surprised, she looked to him and nodded.
"I did tell you your father and I had already discussed this and he supported it," he said. "He might have been a little reluctant, but he knows I'd do it to protect the... bonded. He now trusts me not to do the wrong thing."
Calmer, she replied, "Yes; I had forgotten. Or, I'd just been so shocked to hear that, I thought I might have dreamed it."
"Nope," he replied.
"And what did you mean by 'the wrong thing'?" she asked.
Seeing her sly smirk, however, meant he knew she knew what he meant. It didn't stop him from blushing though, which made her smirk widen into a grin.
"You know very well, Miss Granger," he mock sniffed.
She just snickered back.
Wanting to get serious again, he gave it a few seconds before he refortified himself and looked at her. His expression had her stop her snickers and also look serious.
"Now for the serious question, Hermione," he said. "Are you going to be alright with this?"
She sighed and thought a moment before she replied, "So long as all we're talking about is doing this for her personal protection... and for the House of Greengrass... and so long as what we're talking about is just the Agreement so she'll have that protection... I'll be, as you put it, alright with this."
He nodded and said, "You don't want it to be so that I'll have to have sex with her."
She blushed and replied, "Yes."
Firmly he said, "I assure you, Hermione, no matter what Lord Greengrass's, or Daphne's, intent is for such an Agreement... I'll be making damned sure the same escape clauses as in our Betrothal Agreement will be included in this one."
With a sigh of relief, she said, "Thank you."
Then fearing she'd said something wrong she was quick to add, "That doesn't mean I don't want you to have a concubine, Harry. It's just that... I'm still not completely comfortable with the idea; alright?"
"Completely understandable," he said. "Neither am I, truth be told."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After they decided they'd discussed it enough between them until they'd heard what Daphne had to say, they turned their attention to their homework.
"Harry?" she asked.
"Mmm?"
"Could you ask the Potter elves to make a start on bringing some of the books from Pottermore to here for us?" she carefully begged.
Surprised, he replied, "Of course. Dobby!"
When the little elf popped in, Harry carefully gave it instructions as to which books in general he wanted brought to the office in the apartment from Pottermore: Astronomy, Charms, DADA, Herbology, History of Magic, Potions, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes and Arithmancy.
Dobby said he'd get right on it and let him know when it was done and popped away again.
Ten minutes later he was back and said the bookshelves in the office were now full.
Hermione almost jumped to her feet and ran into the room. A moment later, Harry heard her shout of joy and snorted in amusement.
By the time they heard the final class bell, both teens were well into completing their homework assignments for the day and Dobby had prepared wholesome snacks.
"Master Harry be entertaining guests," said Dobby. "Dobby be preparing snackies!"
"I was going to do that, Dobs," he sighed.
When Dobby crossed his arms and glared back, he groaned in annoyance while Hermione laughed. "Fiiiiine!"
After the bell went, both knew they had time to pack up what they were working on into a tidy pair of piles.
Looking about as he rose, Harry gave a nod of satisfaction at the presentation of the room.
Looking to Hermione, he said, "Back in a couple of minutes."
She smiled and said, "I'll go and alert Dobby to the imminent arrival of our guests.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Harry only had to stand outside the door that separated the Lords' Quarters from the castle proper for about two minutes before he saw both Slytherin girls approach. As soon as they saw him they were relieved.
As they calmly approached, Harry called, "Dobby."
When the elf popped in, he said, "Are you able to open the door to my and Hermione's apartment?"
"Yes, Master Harry," replied Dobby.
"Good," he breathed in relief. "Would you mind, then, escorting these two ladies in?"
"Dobby can do," replied the elf.
Once the two reached him, while also giving Dobby curious glances, Harry said, "Ladies, I have to wait for our other three guests. And expect them to be about twenty minutes, at least. Would you like to wait with me, or would you allow Dobby to escort you in?"
After a quick glance at one another between them, Daphne looked back and said, "We'll go in."
"As you wish," he nodded. And gave Dobby a gesture to go.
"Miss-tresses?" said Dobby, "Please follow Dobby."
He trotted over to the main door, elf finger-snapped it open on his approach and walked in. Both girls followed.
Harry didn't know whether Neville would come on his own, or drop down to the Badgers' Cete and escort the two 'Puff ladies up. He'd be disappointed with him if the boy didn't choose the latter.
"Lord Potter?" called an auror, who had just dropped a Notice-me-Not and now had the watch.
Harry turned to look. "Yes, auror?" he asked.
"How many more guests are you expecting?" asked the auror.
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