The Bonding

A/n: First, 5500 words written new to this chapter in addition to what I originally had... I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 7: Discussions and Decisions

Molly was startled to be called by a name she had not had claim to for over two decades. Her mother and mother-in-law both walked forward with such a predatory movement that both she and Arthur stumbled back to land on a rock out cropping. Both older women stopped in front of their respective child before surprisingly hugging said person. Stepping back so both fathers could step in and hold their own respective child in a tight embrace also, the four parents stood before their married children.

"Now," Elizabeth Prewitt began, "What is this I hear about you not allowing my granddaughter to share a bed with her husband?"

Molly began to sputter, but before she could express her thoughts on the matter her father said, "At least you got to attend their marriage. If you remember, we were all four denied the right to attend yours."

Molly stopped and looked down. "Why are we here?" She asked in fear of the answer.

"What do you need to tell us?" Arthur asked assuming correctly that this was the reason they were brought into this 'dream' together. At least he hoped it was a dream.

Unfortunately, his mother was as adept at reading him as she was in life. "No son, this is most certainly not a dream. You are here in the morning lands for us to explain a few things..."

Septimus took over, "First, do not discourage the two of them spending time together. The more time they spend with each other; the faster the bond will complete and they will be free to move about independently once again."

Second began Zephyr Prewitt, "They need to be encouraged to be open with each other. Trying to keep secrets is not conducive to finishing the bonding process faster. In fact the way they are now, it will take them a week to finish the first stage."

Elizabeth Prewitt nodded at her husband and took up the narrative, "The way to assist this is for them to have as much skin to skin contact as possible. That means they will need to share a bed with as little clothing on as possible."

"Not exactly something a mother of a young woman wants to be told, by her parents and in-laws, is it." Cedrella Weasley told her daughter-in-law. "However, you will need to encourage them to share what intimacy they may. The bond will prevent them from going further than is safe for their health, but keeping them in separate beds and only holding hands is not going to speed this stage of development."

Elizabeth took over again, "You are right to be worried, but not for the reasons you are at the moment. You taught her well, as your brothers were fond of reminding me when you and Arthur ran off together. You need to trust yourself and what you have taught your children. Allow Ginny to determine what is too much and trust her judgement."

Zephyr stepped to the fore again and asked, "How would you have reacted if your mother had a say in whether or not you slept with your husband on your wedding night? And before you try to refute the argument, this is their wedding night."

Each of the six adults stood there, and finally Molly and Arthur glanced at each other guiltily before they asked as one, what do you suggest we do?" At that moment, a new woman approached the group; she was older and obviously had a great deal more knowledge and wisdom on this matter.

"Lady Andella," the older four said in unison. "These are the parents of our granddaughter, the bonded of your chosen heir."

"Very well," she answered in a gentle voice. "I can answer the question you asked Arthur Weasley. The best thing you can do as soon as this is over, is to both awake and get those two into a bed together with as much privacy and as little clothing as possible.

"If they are both as shy as I expect, then you might only remove clothing above the waist for them." She directed this to Molly. "But the sooner they can get past the shyness, and accept that marriage means both of them dealing with a little embarrassment. The sooner this stage of the bond finishes and they will be free to move around individually. If you do not do as I advise, then you should prepare for them remain in this stage of the bond when time to return to Hogwarts comes in just over a week.

"I was a mother as well, I understand how difficult it is to let your child, especially your baby, grow up. But they need this."

Molly stood there shaking, not sure what to do, what to believe, or even whom to trust. This was worse than her worst nightmare. And as in answer to her fears, four more people appeared. Two of them a young man and woman approached Molly and Arthur, and offered their hands to shake in greeting.

The woman smiled kindly and said, "Thank you so much for caring for my baby. I know he is probably a handful." As Lily turns to look at her husband, "But please be patient with him, he hasn't had the best upbringing."

"I have no doubt you have noticed how much he gets into trouble." James says with a mischievous grin, "Please don't judge him too harshly for that. Truthfully, Harry doesn't go searching for trouble; he merely has to stand still for five seconds, and it tends to find him."

Quietly, Lily Potter said, "If it weren't for you, he would not have anyone to support him, and we both owe you a large debt for doing what death has prevented us from doing ourselves."

James Potter drew Arthur and Molly's attention and with a gesture from Lily said, "I know you may want to trust him, but be on your guard around Dumbledore, he is not what he seems. Also please find a way to let Remus Lupin and Sirius Black know about the bond between Harry and Ginny..."

"Why Sirius Black? He was the one to betray you..." Molly started before James cut her off.

"No Molly. He was the decoy. It was our bad luck to have chosen the real traitor as our secret keeper. Sirius was punished for crimes he never committed, and endured it without even receiving a trial."

Both Weasleys stood there doing perfect imitations of a fish out of water. This information was new to them, and neither knew what to make of it. Finally, Arthur spoke up, "How will they know we can be trusted? I mean, I work at the Ministry, I doubt Sirius Black will simply accept communication from me. Is there some means of telling him that I am a friend and not a typical ministry worker?"

James considered that for a moment before saying, "There is a charm that we used on letters and many other items we didn't want just anyone to read. What you will need to do is write the letter you want them to read, and then tap all four corners of the parchment with your wand. Finally, tap it in the centre and say the incantation 'concealerus' while concentrating on what password you want it to have. The note will vanish and the parchment will appear blank. An excellent password to use is, 'I solemnly swear I am up to know good.' We used that one most often. Tell them that Prongs and Vixey gave it to you. They will have no doubts after that."

"I was an unregistered Animagus," Lily said. "And Vixey was the nickname they gave me. Only James, Remus, and Sirius ever knew, the real traitor was never aware of it. My form was a vixen. That bit of trivia should help if they are suspicious about what James just said."

"Also," James said in conclusion. "Tell them that I gave you the map code. It will tell them which password, and no one else will be able to read it; because, the only other person who knows it is too busy with other matters." He growled his disdain for his former friend, before his voice took on a softer tone, "After you have learned more about the old man and his plans, we will have another visit. Until then, please look after Harry as best you can..."

"And please continue to show him the love we can't." Lily finished the thought for her husband.

As James and Lily finished their conversation with Molly and Arthur, the other two people stepped forward. "Molly," they said in unison, "We have to admit ourselves disappointed."

"You have been given two very talented wizards, and have failed to encourage them," said Fabian the elder of her twin brothers.

"Yes, you have made every effort to squash the love of fun from them," This time from Gideon the younger twin.

"Shame on you for forgetting what it means to be young," Again, both spoke in unison.

Molly flushed, already overcome with tears, and lunged at her dearest friends and co-conspirators for so long. She pulled both brothers into a hug, which they reciprocated. In addition, the three of them quickly collected Arthur as well.

Though their parents had never really approved of the marriage, Gideon and Fabian had agreed with it immediately. They had always liked Arthur for his laid-back easy-going attitude. Now they had to tell these two to relax and remember to enjoy life occasionally.

"Sister, we need you to listen to us. You and Arthur need to be more relaxed about the raging hooligans you call children." Fabian began.

"We know that they don't always make the best choices. But you need to encourage them to follow their dreams." Gideon chimed in.

"Even if you don't approve of them; you need to let them make their own mistakes. Sometimes they will fail, sometimes they will find success." Fabian continued.

And if you continue to discourage Fred and George from their joke shop plan, they will simply defy you, and cause pain and heartache all around."

"You both need to not only encourage them, but all nine of our precious nephews and nieces."

"And yes, we are counting Hermione Granger and Harry Potter in that statement."

"If you will encourage them, then they will come to you for help with solving problems, and perhaps you can head off real disasters. However, they will not reach their full potential if you continue to discourage them. After all, they are destined for greatness, and not simply with their current project, which is merely the tip of the iceberg."

"You must love and protect them, but stop smothering them. They need the freedom that comes with growing up; however, they will still need you for advice."

"They can't stay children forever, and with the horrors coming in the near future; they will all need that time to prepare."

"There is a war coming, and Harry, whether you like it or not, will be at the centre of it. He and Ginny will have the help of many people, but they will need yours the most before all of this is done." Gideon concluded the line of thought.

"Now that the trivial matters have been addressed; I have a serious question Molly. Why is it that you have forgotten how to have fun?"

"Have the two of you gotten..." both twins looked at each other and mock shuddered, "... Old?" Both laughed and huddled into their siblings.

After a couple of minutes, Molly managed to compose herself enough to assume a scolding tone. "And just where do you two miscreants get off telling me how to raise my children? I seem to recall you were always in as much trouble, if not more, than Fred and George. And I most certainly do not want my children going and getting themselves needlessly killed like you two did."

"Needlessly," both said with indignation. They were determined to set her straight.

"Molly, we died fighting to protect an innocent family who had been trapped in their house by a group of Death Eaters."

"We may have died, but it was most definitely not a needless death."

"Weren't you ever told how it happened?"

"No," she admitted. "No one ever felt it was important. You know how some of those at the ministry are when it comes to family members of the people that bastard and his followers murdered."

"Well, now you know the major details. That should help with putting some of your anxiety to rest."

"Yeah sis, lighten up. You have too much to worry about to let our deaths get in the way of enjoying life."

"We have to go soon, and we don't want to see either of you on this side for a very long time. Okay...?"

Turning to Arthur, Gideon concluded the meeting by saying, "We left a book of our pranks and ideas in the vault we left to Molly. Be sure that Fred and George get it. It will save them a large amount of trouble experimenting."

"We kept very meticulous records." Fabian said with a smile that was very reminiscent of his young nephews.

Everyone then gathered round and hugged Molly and Arthur before they turned and walked into the mist, which had gathered at the edge of the meadow.

"Molly and Arthur, I must tell you that this is the most difficult circumstance I can imagine. I ask you both to appreciate just how unusual your presence here is. I have been authorized to make a special allowance for this situation. Try not to make me regret doing so. I understand the Potters want to meet with you again; that will be extremely difficult. However, I should be able to manage the arrangements necessary to make it possible.

"You should be prepared to return here at least twice more in the next couple of years. Now please; for the sake of everyone on the planet, and most especially those two youngsters, get them in bed together as soon as you can..."

With the final word of Lady Andella's instructions, Molly and Arthur awoke to a full awareness of their surroundings. They needed only a shared glance; both nodded and rose to accomplish their tasks.

As they rose, he said, "Go get them; I will expand the bed in Ginny's room so they can both fit comfortably." She nodded and left without comment. Down the stairs and into the family room, Molly stared at the peacefully sleeping children before sighing and levitating them both together and moving them to the bed Arthur was preparing.

Once they were in the enlarged bed, Arthur left the room, and Molly arranged the two youngsters so that Ginny was draped over Harry. She then vanished all but their underclothing, and tucked the bedclothes in tightly around them in an attempt to keep them in as much physical contact as possible.

Harry awoke then, but remained quiet when Molly whispered, "You will be better off with more skin touching. We will talk about this and everything else after lunch. Now, I need for you to hold Ginny as tightly as possible, and both of you get some sleep. Your day was very exhausting, meaning that you need as much sleep as possible."

She left the room, her every instinct as a mother screaming at her to separate the two children she was leaving alone together. Nevertheless, her common sense, and trust in her parenting skills concerning the raising of Ginny, helped to keep the dangerous impulses at bay long enough for her to close and lock the door.

Turning to her husband, she wiped a tear from her eye, and led him to the kitchen where she prepared them both some hot cocoa. Normally she would have fixed tea, but this occasion was special, and called for something different from the usual fair.

They sat in silence for a time sipping their soothing drink and then together, hand in hand, returned to their bed where they fell into a mostly dreamless sleep for the remainder of the night and both awoke refreshed to face the trials and challenges of the new day.

Harry awoke at about nine in the morning. He felt the weight of Ginny spread over him. She was mumbling something about this being a dream, and that she was not naked in bed with Harry Potter.

Chuckling softly he said, "Your parents placed us here around midnight. I am guessing that if we had continued to follow our plan of only holding hands, we would have still been in the first stage of the bond when it was time to go back to school."

Still refusing to lift her face to meet Harry's eyes, Ginny replied, "Maybe so, but I'm not far from being starkers. My knickers are very small and don't cover much, and what little they do is not covered very well."

"I hadn't noticed. I'm kind of happily distracted by a couple of other things poking me in the side..." That comment got Ginny's attention; she tried to shift around to avoid touching him with her breast. She worked the blankets down the bed a little, and Harry saw some scaring on her upper chest. "Ginny, what is that?" he indicated the scar, and she froze.

Lowering her head in shame again, she softly pleaded, "Please don't ask. I just want to forget that ever happened."

"Is this the secret you don't want me to know about?" he queried.

She lay unmoving, other than to draw the blankets back over her shoulders. Her whimpers were soft and the fact that she failed to answer was not lost on Harry. He wrapped his arms around her again drawing them back together. His lack of skill at comforting a crying female left him with no clue of how to go about the task.

Lacking for any other idea of how to deal with the situation, he began to stroke the fingers of one hand through her hair, and gently rubbed her back with the other. "Please stop crying, Ginny. I didn't mean to hurt you by asking such personal questions; however, if that is the worst secret you have to hide, we will have an easier time sharing those hidden memories than I thought."

She still didn't make a move to answer him, and he was beginning to worry. Struggling to come up with a better idea, Harry decided, "Ginny, we both have things in our pasts we are ashamed of, but I'll share mine if it can help you." She still made no move to respond, "Okay, from the time I was four, I was made to do all the work at the Dursley home. I was little more than a house-elf, and was treated like one." With a little effort, he rolled them onto one side and continued, "Rub your hand along my back and you will be able to feel for yourself just how bad it got."

He encouraged her to put her hands on his back in order to feel the scars, which covered it. "I know all about scars, and how they are made. Please, tell me about yours. I assume you got them from Tom..." the last comment was the catalyst to bring Ginny's response.

She shifted her weight rolling them so his back was again on the mattress. She lifted her head and the tears were flowing from her eyes. "You'll hate me. I was foolish, and they are a permanent reminder of a little girl's stupidity. Bloody diary," she snuggled into Harry's embrace and drew a breath to gather her courage. Then before her courage failed her, she sat up and reluctantly let the blankets fall from her shoulders exposing her body from the waist up.

"These scars are ones that Tom forced me to do to myself. Until today, only mum and Madam Pomfrey knew they were there." The scars covered her chest, stomach, and upper thighs; they also appeared to cover her most intimate parts and Harry's questioning look brought Ginny's full explanation.

"Tom punished me for stealing the diary back from you by forcing me to use cutting hexes on myself. He forced me to use incomplete healing charms and told me that no one would want an ugly scarred girl. Using incomplete healing charms in that fashion tends to leave scars."

She quickly drew the blankets back over herself, and lay back down against Harry. She whispered her last words, "I can understand if you want to find someone else; you shouldn't be forced to be with someone like me."

Harry never knew what made him say or do what he did next. It was as if someone else was speaking and acting through his body, but he felt each word was his own and he meant every one of them. "Enough!" he responded. "Do you think so little of me? Does this whole bond mean so little to you? Neither of us is perfect! Both of us are marred because of the whims of some violently cruel people. Now we both have to work in order to get past it. Taking another woman is something I would never even consider. My whole life I have longed for someone who would love me unconditionally."

He took her chin in his hand, guiding her to sit back up and meet his gaze. He then caressed her shoulders and briefly pressed his lips to hers. "You are that person," Harry said as he wrapped his arms around Ginny drawing her tightly against him. "And I will hold you like this every morning and night. For better or for worse we are now, and will always be, together."

That was how Molly found them ten minutes later when she came to collect them for breakfast. She said nothing as she cast cleaning charms on the blushing couple and then conjured clothing for them to wear. "Come along you two, or there won't be anything left for your breakfast. Ron was already starting on third helpings..."

Breakfast went better than either of them expected. Only Ron and Percy seemed uncomfortable thinking about Harry and Ginny alone in a room together. Both brothers had other thoughts to occupy them however.

Ron, in an unusual event, had taken the book his oldest brothers had given him and read it most of the night. Though he was still loath to admit it, he had begun to develop feelings for his best female friend, and while reading the book, had begun to see some of her past actions in a different light. This gave him a headache, but he was truly curious about why he always acted as he did. He began to find memories he couldn't account for, and this worried him.

Finally, after a long near-sleepless night of weighty soul-searching, he made up his mind, "Dad, I need to talk to you for a few minutes after breakfast in private. I need to ask your advice about something that I think you will feel is important. That is if I'm not simply imagining all of it."

"Very well, after breakfast, you can help me in the orchard for a couple of hours."

Everyone at the table realized how important Ron's question was when he simply said, "That would be perfect." This was because the Weasley children as a group hated working in the orchard. They loved to eat the fruit, but hated tending the trees.

After a minute or two, Arthur and Ron left the table and the others just looked at each other questioningly. However, Bill and Charlie thought they knew what Ron's questions concerned. They glanced at each other and with a nod stood to corral their other three brothers and discuss their failings as Ron's older brothers.

Fred and George never expected the things Bill said, and were thus unprepared to defend themselves when they were stuck to the wall with a permanent sticking charm... or the ward placed on their door, which made them look like girls. They were further embarrassed when they were forced to tell Molly, Ginny, and Harry that because they had been such failures as big brothers, they had decided to try being older sisters instead.

However, it wasn't until he threatened to have them write their girlfriends and ask for advice on how to be a proper girl that they began to beg forgiveness. Being the magnanimous older brother he was, Bill accepted their apologies and told them, "When you truly mean what you just said; you will return to your normal appearance. Until then, mum has three daughters instead of just one. Also, you will see yourself as you normally are, but everyone will see you as a girl."

The twins spent a full day moping while Bill tended to other matters that distracted him from the lesson to them.

Percy sat at his desk pondering what Charlie had said about how he had failed as an older brother, and how Ron would never look up to him because he had put rules and personal achievement above family and helping those who needed him most.

The comments had been painful, and had distracted him from the report he was writing for work. It had never dawned on him that his younger siblings might see him as a failure. He considered the information he had given the youngest two about their extra classes and realized he really had failed to provide proper guidance. He put away his work and sat reviewing his actions over the previous years... "How could I have been such a failure?" he pondered for what seemed the millionth time.

Charlie and Bill were thus occupied for the remainder of the morning. They were drawn to the family room at just past noon by the sound of an intense argument. They entered and quickly accessed the situation. Finding a very distraught Hermione babbling about what seemed like nonsense. They heard Ron loudly ask the question, "Why? Are you trying to kill them?"

"No! I'm trying to prevent your family from robbing Harry..."

Before Bill could act, Charlie drew his wand and muttered, "Stupefy." Hermione's frantic rant went silent as she started to fall.

"What's going on?" Bill asked, when he noticed the phial Hermione was still holding.

Ron, who had caught Hermione, laid her on the sofa before answering Bill's question. "She arrived and greeted us..." Ron replied as his memory drifted back the previous five minutes.

Hermione had arrived through the Floo, and immediately began trying to separate Harry and Ginny, who had quickly become uncomfortable and excused themselves. "But after Harry and Ginny excused themselves to meet with mum and dad, she started ranting about how Harry isn't acting normally, and mumbling that something had to be done. It was very strange.

"Then I saw that potion phial in her hand, and I asked what the potion was and who was it for? She began demanding that I help her give Harry an antidote to the love potion Ginny had obviously given him.

"I then yelled 'Why, are you trying to kill them?' which did something few things have ever done, it left her speechless. She was just about to reply when you two came in." He turned to Charlie and asked, "Why did you stun her?"

As Bill retrieved the potion and began to examine it, Ron realized another matter, "Oh gods, she doesn't know about the soul-bond or the consequences of trying to break it."

Bill pointed his wand at Hermione and said, "Accio wand." Followed by, "Enervate." Hermione woke with a start. Seeing herself surrounded, she began searching first for the phial, and when she didn't find that, for her wand.

"Looking for these?" Bill queried. Charlie grabbed her shoulder and held her in the seat when she made a grab for the items. "Not so fast," Bill continued. "We have some questions and you are going to provide answers. If they are satisfactory, I will return these to you, if not, we will see what the Aurors make of this potion, and your attempted murder of Harry and Ginny."

"I know what all of you are doing; you are after Harry's money. That is why you are not helping me give him the antidote." This last was directed to Ron. "You are all in this together..." her face took on a frantic look and she began searching for a way to escape.

"What is this potion Hermione? You won't be able to get up until you have answered our questions." Bill repeated.

At the same time Ron muttered, "I thought you knew me better than that?"

Hermione glared at Ron for a moment before her temper got the better of her, "Fine! If you must know, it is an antidote to all love potions!"

"Where did you get it?" was Bill's next question.

Hermione was still casting angrily about for a method of escape. "Professor Dumbledore told me all about how you were using a love potion to trick Harry into believing that he and Ginny were supposed to be together so he would give you his family's fortune..."

Ron growled about this statement, "Why would Dumbledore care if Harry was happy or not. I mean, he and Ginny are soul-bonded, no love potion needed."

"Professor Dumbledore said you might bring up that fairy tale. He said there is no such thing. He told me I needed to give it to Harry as soon as I arrived. I need to give it to Harry to allow him to escape from you bunch of thieves."

Hermione became more frantic as she started yelling, "Harry you need to get out of here. The Weasleys are using a love potion on you. They're after your money. They don't really care for you! Can you hear me...?"

She fell silent a second later as Bill muttered, "Stupefy."

Bill had heard enough. Looking to Charlie, he directed, "You stay here and let mum and dad know what has happened. Ron and I will take her to Gringotts. Ragnok should be able to tell us what is going on."

He stood from the crouched position he had occupied only a moment before, and looking at the potion in his hand, said, "This potion is most certainly not an antidote to any love potion. I became an expert of those while I was at Hogwarts."

At Ron's incredulous look he explained, "Just because we don't have a lot of money doesn't mean we're not desirable. When I was there, I had girls flocking me all the time; more than one tried to slip me a love potion."

He lifted Hermione as if she were light as a feather, and after putting his free hand on Ron's shoulder, said, "Activate." The emergency Portkey he always carried with him took them to the nearest branch of Gringotts just as it should.

They arrived at the emergency employee entrance. The goblin on duty looked irritated to see someone arrive who was not obviously in need of assistance. However, before he could speak, Bill said, "My name is William Arthur Weasley; I must speak to Ragnok concerning an attempt on the lives of Lord and Lady Potter. They are his personal clients."

Without a moment of hesitation, another security goblin motioned the three wizards to follow him, "This way, I will show you to a conference room where you will be joined by Ragnok at his earliest available time. He is a very busy goblin, and can't stop his schedule for just anyone..."

Bill cut in, "simply tell him it concerns a possible attempt to kill the Potters, and I can assure he will make the time to see us." They had entered the meeting room as he was speaking, and he placed the still unconscious Hermione in a chair to lay her head on the table while they waited.

The wait lasted for only five minutes. Ragnok entered with four guards wearing the ceremonial armour of elite goblin warriors, and his assistant. The elder goblin went to the table addressing Bill as he went. "Mr. Weasley. What is the emergency, and where are the Potters?" he took a seat as the four guards stood in the corners of the room.

"They are safe sir. The danger was removed, and brought here." He held out the phial of potion. "I was wondering if you might have this analysed. For whatever reason, Hermione was under the impression that Harry was being fed a love potion, and that this is an antidote. I know enough to recognize that it isn't, but have no idea what it may be." He laid the potion on the table as he was speaking.

Ragnok lifted the potion and eyed it critically. "I must admit that Potions is not my forte either, but I will have it analysed immediately. As we said yesterday, we goblins owe much to the Potters, and to think of someone hurting them would be an attack on both our honour and professional pride." He handed it to Thornclaw and said, "Have this identified immediately." The assistant took the phial and departed at a run.

"Now tell me what happened from the beginning."

Bill gestured to Ron who tells the same story he told Bill and Charlie earlier. Bill then filled in his point of view. As they finish their narration, the assistant returns with an elderly female goblin. She conversed with Ragnok in gobbledygook and his expression turned even more sour as she continued explaining.

As the discussion ends, he dismisses the old potions mistress and turns to Bill. "There is a very good reason you did not recognize that potion. It was outlawed over two hundred years ago. It is an enslavement potion and merely possessing it could cause the person to be sentenced to death. We will need to question both these youngsters as to their coming by it. If it is innocent as you say, we will release them. However, if it is not..." he left the implied threat hanging.

Ron considered for only a moment, "I'll do it. I was trying to protect Harry and Ginny. And while I don't think Hermione intended harm to either of them... Well, I can't speak for her."

"Very well, please sit over there," Ragnok directed Ron to a chair just as his assistant was returning from retrieving the potion. "This truth serum is similar to Veritaserum, but it has no known counter-agent. It is also short term, and will only make the person answer truthfully for five minutes."

"Well, let's get this over with," Ron opened his mouth and the potion was given.

"Now," Ragnok started. "I need you to tell me the truth concerning Miss Granger and the potion she brought with her to give Lord Potter."

"It started after she arrived about noon today..." Ron again repeats the same story, word for word, thus clearing himself of any suspicion of guilt.

After the truth potion had become ineffective, Ragnok nodded. The answers he received were truthful, and at least told him that Ron wasn't trying to kill Harry. "Now for the young lady," They turned their attention to Hermione.

"I had to stun her in order to bring her here. She was resisting, and we needed her to cooperate. Willingness was out of the question..." Bill began; however, Ragnok waved him silent.

"Awaken her," he said to his assistant.

Both wizards watched as Hermione was returned to consciousness, and bound to the chair where she sat. She struggled and looked about pleadingly for any assistance. None was coming.

Ragnok explained, "Now human, I would have normally had you executed for simply having possession of that potion you brought in with you. However, you appear to be acting in a manner other than normal. Therefore, I am giving you a chance to avoid the punishment, which the law prescribes. You will be questioned while under the effect of a truth serum, and we will have the answers we need. If not, you will be executed as the law demands."

She would normally have received a fair trial before facing the executioner, but if she were truly scared, she might agree to the questioning. If not, the potion might cause the punishment anyway.

"You have one chance to save yourself from death human. You answer our questions. If you do so willingly, it may be possible to spare you a painful death; however, should you choose to resist..." Ragnok finished leaving the threat unspoken. "Give her the potion." He instructed his assistant.

Hermione struggled to avoid answering the questions; however, each answer spilled forth as if it were ripped from her mind.

"Why did you plan to give Harry Potter an enslavement potion?"

"Not an enslavement potion. It is an antidote to the love potion the Weasleys gave him."

"Where did you get this potion?"

"Professor Dumbledore gave it to me. He told me to be certain it was not in front of Ginny or it might not work. Harry had to be out of sight of the person who gave him the love potion for at least an hour to make sure it was completely successful"

"Did it occur to you to question Dumbledore as to what you should watch for in order to know it was working?"

"Yes, I'm not an idiot. I would never give a potion to him that was not safe."

"What did he tell you to watch for?"

"He... he... umm... I don't remember. He muttered something, and I just felt like doing what he said."

"Why did he want you to give the potion to Harry Potter?"

"He said... he said... he never really said."

After her last answer, it became obvious she was fighting and that it was not by her own choice. Ragnok ceased his questioning, and summoned a goblin curse-breaker. He mulled over in his mind exactly what she had revealed.

The goblin arrived after a few minutes, and was ordered, "Check this young human for curses or potions, which would cause her to act in any manner against her will. I would think it is some type of compulsion or commanding curse."

"Yes Master Ragnok," the old goblin said. Turning to Hermione, "Now this shouldn't be more than slightly uncomfortable." and began to wave her hands over the young woman.

There was a nearly immediate response. Hermione was surrounded by a glowing halo comprised of five different colours. The old goblin stepped back and turned to Ragnok. I have not seen such a mixture of curses in many years.

"Bloody effing hell," Bill cursed softly. He recognized some of the spells indicated, but two were even beyond his training."

"Is she going to be okay?" Ron asked. He had noticed the whimpers Hermione used to indicate her discomfort.

The old goblin looked at him, "Is this female of any importance to you?"

"Umm... yes. She and I are very close friends with Harry Potter." Ron responded.

"Would you consent to be tested also?" Ragnok queried.

"Do you think I may have been forced to act against my will also?"

"It is very likely that these spells were placed to make her help someone to control Mr. Potter's associations and daily activities," was Ragnok's explanation.

"Go ahead." Ron nodded.

The old goblin came over to him and cast the same revealing charm. After ten or fifteen seconds, a glowing halo comprised of eight different colours surrounded Ron.

Bill very nearly exploded as he recognized some of those curses also. "Who the Bloody Effing Hell thinks they have the right to use those spells on anyone?!" He turned toward Ragnok and asked in a more polite manner, "Can they be removed?"

"Yes, but the removal will be expensive." The old goblin told him.

Ragnok nodded his agreement, "Some of these will require monitoring until removal. But I think we can make arrangements for payment."

Bill looked to the young teens, "What amount are we talking about?"

"About five thousand Galleons each," the old female goblin replied.

"Damn," Bill swore under his breath. He was being placed in a situation that appeared to have only one solution. Moreover, he had sworn to himself never to take such a course of action. He pondered for a minute before saying, "How long would I have to swear to work for Gringotts in order to have the cost taken from my pay?"

Ragnok replied, "Six years."

"Then... I, William Arthur Weasley, eldest son of Arthur Septimus Weasley and Molly Elizabeth Weasley nee Prewitt, do here by swear an oath on my magic and my life that I will work for Gringotts for the time of six years. I take this course of action in order to pay the debt incurred for the removal of unwanted curses from Ronald Bilius Weasley and Hermione Jane Granger." A blue aura surrounded him, which lasted for only ten seconds, but it was enough to confirm his oath to Gringotts.

Ragnok nodded, "Gringotts accepts your oath." He turned to the older goblin and said, "I am authorizing what ever measures you need to take in order to complete this procedure."

The old goblin nodded. She turned to the door and motioned two of her young assistants forward. "Take these two and prepare them."

A female goblin took Hermione by the hand. The teen began to resist, and was quickly placed under a full body bind. The goblin then levitated her from the room. Ron with some trepidation followed his escort, a male goblin through the door.

Bill watched his young charges leave the room, and then he turned to the old female and said, "I recognized three of those spells. The yellow indicated a suppression of natural abilities hex. The orange one was some kind of self-loathing jinx. The blue was a kind of loyalty charm. However, I didn't recognize the others."

"Very astute young curse breaker. The others on... your younger brother," she queried and then continued after Bill's affirmative response. "They were mostly variations of the suppression hex and self-loathing jinx. You may have noted that they were different hues of yellow and orange respectively. The remaining colour you failed to recognize was the greyish-blue, correct?"

"Yes, I know the blue indicates loyalty magic, but why the grey mixed in?"

"The grey indicates a potion rather than a spell. This would not have been covered in your previous training." She finished explaining.

Then she turned to Ragnok and in gobbledygook said, "This one has a good mind for a human, would it be possible for him to be transferred to my custody for more formal training? He has the basic knowledge, and I feel a strong potential within him."

The one I still do not understand is the black and blue. The blue is loyalty that much is obvious; however, what does the black mixed with it mean. Normally black would be associated with deadly magic or the darkest of magic."

The old goblin nodded, "Very astute Mr. Weasley. In this case, the black indicates the use of controlling or compulsion magic. While this one is similar to the imperious curse, it is more compulsion based rather than trying to command or control the individual. I would guess this young female has some type of feelings for Lord Potter."

Bill paled and swore even louder. "Who would dare... that would be..."

"No different than the Imperious." Ragnok finished the thought for him. "It is barely kinder than that awful curse."

Bill sat at the table to consider the ramifications of what he had just heard. While his thoughts were elsewhere, Ragnok and the old female goblin stood discussing the situation. After fifteen minutes, the assistants returned to collect the three and lead them to the ritual chamber.

The two teens were in the ritual chamber waiting to have the dangerous magic removed from them. Ron as patiently as he could, while Hermione... well the body bind had to be removed for the ritual and she was sobbing.

She stood in the middle of the chamber by a pool of clear water. Like Ron, she was dressed only in a white tunic that came down to mid-thigh, and belted at the waist to help them preserve some level of modesty. Around her were two female goblins and at least four warriors.

The lead assistant stepped forward when the adults entered. "She gave us no choice. We either had to keep her under guard, or bound. She refused to cooperate otherwise. Both of them are ready, and the cleansing pool is filled. We are ready to begin Mistress."

"Then we shall." The old goblin moved toward the teens. "Some of the magic we found around you is generally harmless; however, a few of the spells and potions indicated are very dangerous and if not removed could result in a horrific death or worse."

Hermione began trembling and muttering to herself. Nothing she said made any sense to anyone, but she kept repeating the same phrase. One assistant led Ron to the side where he would await his turn, and then returned to the circle. The old goblin and her four assistants surrounded Hermione and began chanting.

As the tempo and volume of the chant increased, Hermione began to cry out as her body was forced into some very uncomfortable positions. The entire process lasted for fifteen minutes, but the agonized screaming stopped after the first two or three. She had lost consciousness and hung limply in the air as the worst of the spells were removed.

The chanting ceased and the old goblin placed a bubble-head charm on her before directing the assistants to place Hermione in the pool. She sank toward the bottom and the assistants led Ron to the middle of the circle.

"The removal process will not be as painful for you, but it will still hurt. Relaxing may make it more bearable." The assistant left Ron and joined the circle.

The furrowed brow and firm set of his jaw gave mute testament to what he expected. However, Ron gave a curt nod as he tried to force his body to relax. Looking at his eldest brother standing on the boundary of the room, he inhaled deeply through his nose, and out through his mouth before telling the group of goblins surrounding him, "I'm as ready as I will ever be."

He later reflected on that comment. He truly had not been ready for the pain, but had struggled to suppress any outward sign of it. He almost succeeded. As he lost consciousness, a whimper escaped his lips.

After both teens had been removed from the pool and taken to changing rooms where they would be awakened and allowed to dress in street clothes again. The old female goblin turned to Bill. "I expect you to be here ready to begin training as my newest assistant on the day following the Quidditch World Cup." and with that she left the room. Ragnok collected him with a look and the two returned to the meeting room to await the youngsters.

"What did she mean, ready to begin training?"

"Part of the payment you are expected to offer is to spend the next seven years as her apprentice. This means you are being transferred back to London on a permanent basis. We will also provide you with lodging so you will be nearby. You are a rare human William. I have known of only two others to be offered this opportunity in the last four hundred years."

"But sir, I am already a licensed curse breaker. What else can I be expected to learn?"

"Both of your predecessors were already licensed as well. However, they still learned much. Also, you have been with Gringotts for only six years."

"Yes, sir."

"This makes it even more obvious why you were offered such an opportunity. You know that only a select few ever have what it takes to become curse breakers. Fewer still ever achieve a level above apprentice. The ones, who earn a licence to bear the title of curse breaker, work for ten or fifteen years to do so. You have managed that feat in only half the minimum time. Your pledge to work for payment of this debt provided the prefect occasion to order the transfer."

Bill could only nod. He had counted himself lucky to be in the presence of such a famous goblin as old Baba. Now he was to be her newest apprentice. Maybe he wasn't such an idiot for making that oath after all.

His contemplations ended abruptly as an assistant led Ron and Hermione back into the room. Both seemed frightened and sat a little stiffly as if they were still in pain.

Hermione looked at Ron and Bill before blurting out, "What happened. The last thing I remember is Professor Dumbledore coming to my house and asking me for a favour. Then I wake up in this strange room and am handed my clothes and told to dress quickly."

Focusing her attention on Ron, she continued, "Why are we here, and why does my body feel as if it was used for a punching bag? For that matter, where is here?"

"You have been under the effects of the Emphatic-Aspiration Charm. It is a form of compulsion charm, which is rarely used. Most find it easier to simply use either a compulsion charm or the imperious curse." The goblin standing at the table said. "You had been forced to give Lord Potter a potion that would have killed him. Fortunately, you were prevented from doing so."

"What do you mean? I would never try to kill Harry. He is the closest thing I have to a brother."

After a moment's deliberation, the goblin introduced himself, "My name is Ragnok. I am pleased to meet someone so important to Lord Potter. Can you tell us what you remember of your last meeting with Mr. Dumbledore?"

Hermione sat reviewing her memories of the meeting before saying, "He arrived at my house Friday just before tea. My parents were still at work, but I felt safe letting him in. He told me that someone was trying to hurt Harry, and that he needed me to give Harry an antidote to the potion, which was obviously affecting him."

They all three were an attentive audience as she continued. "I felt worry for my brother's safety, but when I saw the potion he wanted me to give Harry, I realised it wasn't what he told me it was. He drew his wand, and cast a spell I didn't recognise. That... is all I remember."

Turning to Ron, she implored, "Please tell me I didn't hurt anyone."

Ron smiled and said, "No one was hurt; I managed to distract you long enough for Harry to get away safely."

Hermione took him by surprise as she tackled him in a hug that would make his mother's pale in comparison. Then without thinking, she pressed her lips to his in a searing kiss. Both actions caught him by surprise. Fortunately, he showed an unusual amount of self-awareness. As Hermione started to pull away, Ron returned the kiss and then wore a shy smile as he looked into her eyes.

"Miss Granger, we are thankful to you for your help. Your delay, even though Dumbledore possibly intended it, allowed Lord and Lady Potter to escape with their lives. More importantly, you helped us find some dangerous spells and potions influencing the two of you. Most grievous among them was the Emphatic-Aspiration Charm, which was affecting you," Ragnok told her.

"What is the Emphatic-Aspiration Charm?" Hermione asked

Ragnok's expression became grave as he explained, "It is a form of compulsion charm, which is rarely used. It causes the person to focus only on their desire to complete a task. The person will do everything within their ability to accomplish their duty; however, it has to be something the person wants to do. I believe Miss Granger's particular assignment was to protect young Lord Potter, which forced her to give him the enslavement potion; because, she was compelled to believe that it would protect him. Some would argue that charm is worse than the imperious curse as it has forced people to focus on something to the point of death. As you, Miss Granger, are well known for being excessively single-minded, it would have led to a quick death for you."

Bill looked on horrified at that revelation. However, Hermione sat on Ron's lap, with her face buried in his shoulder, softly crying as he held her tightly. She continued to cry but lifted her head to stutter, "How could he? We trusted him and he almost caused me to kill Harry and Ginny while eventually forcing me to commit suicide."

Bill took a moment to realize what Hermione did not know. He started to correct her when Ragnok spoke up. "If only you would have had the time for such an honourable death. Instead, you would likely die from the resulting magical cataclysm."

A dawning look of horror came over her face. Ron needed only a glance to know the only question they needed answered, "How bad?"

Ragnok's voice dropped to barely a whisper, "The devastation would be total."

"How quickly after they died?" she asked.

"Perhaps a minute, very likely not even that long. The only records of previous soul-bondmates separated prematurely are thousands of years old. We do not have an accurate accounting of how quickly the devastation following their deaths occurred."

"What do you mean by devastation being total?" she managed to mumble, obviously terrified of what the answer would be.

"Within the area of the magical backlash, all life would cease, all land above sea level would be shattered, and beyond that, we can only guess at the effects. It would certainly affect all the remaining life on the planet. Though to what degree, is only speculation." Ragnok answered.

Silence reigned for a couple of minutes as everyone thought over what had just been said.

As Hermione sat on Ron's lap another thought occurred to her; a frightened look then appeared on her face. She glanced to the two people in the room with her and Ron, before asking Ron, "Do we trust them with the secret about Padfoot?"

"I trust Bill with my life, and if he were to tell anyone Ginny would do worse than kill him for causing Harry that much pain." He paused then said, "You think Dumbledore might try to use Sirius against Harry?"

"Sirius who...?" Bill asked, "Do you mean Sirius Black?"

The guilty look, which passed between the two teens, made the answers obvious. "That man wants to kill Harry." Bill continued, "Why should we worry about him?"

Ignoring Bill for a moment, Ron faced Ragnok fully. "Is there some way to get word to Sirius Black that Harry is in danger and Dumbledore's word is not to be trusted?"

"That would be an easy enough task. We know of his innocence, or at least his lack of a trial. What would the message need to say?"

"Only that Harry is in danger, Dumbledore is not to be trusted, and he should quietly return to England." Ron paused for a few seconds before adding, "Is there some place he can go to be safe without need to worry about the Ministry of Magic?"

"There are doubtless some properties he has access to that he can use. If not, then Lord Potter can give him access to a property of his." Ragnok answered.

Hermione took up the talking, "That would probably be best for the moment. We need to plan further, and get Harry's approval before doing anything else."

"Okay, everyone stop for a minute." Bill interrupted, "You two know something. So you had better start explaining. Why are we trying to protect Sirius Black from the Ministry? And how will taking him to the ministry, or otherwise harming him, hurt Harry?"

The two youngsters, with merely a glance between them, set about explaining what they knew of the Marauders and about Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. The entire explanation took less than fifteen minutes, and when they finished, Bill had agreed that it would definitely be best to warn Sirius about Dumbledore, and get him back nearby so he can help protect Harry and Ginny.

Hermione sat thoughtfully for a moment, "We should also pass on the warning to Professor Lupin."

"Remus Lupin, Why?" Ragnok asked.

"Because, he is a friend of Sirius Black, and was close to Harry's parents. Harry got close to him during the last school year." Hermione explained.

"And he feels that he owes Professor Dumbledore for allowing him to attend school even though he was already cursed with lycanthrope." Ron added by way of caution.

Ragnok queried, "If given a choice, who would he choose?"

Hermione answered, "James Potter and Sirius Black were his first and closest friends. I know how he felt; before I met Harry and Ron, I was the same way. I can confidently say he would choose Harry over Dumbledore."

Ragnok sat and contemplated her answer. "Very well, if you can honestly say you trust him, then we should inform him as well. If you would write a letter to each, I will personally insure they receive them."

Ron and Hermione jointly wrote the letters, which said, "Harry is in danger, Dumbledore's word is not to be trusted. Have your selves checked for potions and curses that he can use to control you. Check with Harry at the Burrow to know more." Then they signed it, "Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger."

While they were writing the letters, Bill turned to Ragnok and said, "It would probably be best if we were not seen leaving. Dumbledore is bound to have a spy who would let him know his plan failed."

"Wise thinking, we need to be careful until we know who can be trusted. I knew we made a good choice when hiring you."

After turning the letters over to Ragnok, the three humans followed Ragnok to his office to use his private Floo. Each took a handful of Floo powder and Flooed to the Burrow.