The (Non-Marriage) Law

First Night

"What are you looking at?" Harry asked the room at large.

"I don't know what you did, but the magic was really strong," Neville commented. "What was it?"

"We just kissed. I asked Hermione to marry me. She agreed and then we kissed."

"I wish somebody would kiss me like this," Parvati noted. She was one of the few who were found pregnant just before the letters came, although she didn't know who caused that. She didn't really mind either.

"That was no ordinary kiss," Neville said. He had gained a lot of confidence since the war. "I believe it was a soul bond, making you married without any additional ceremony."

Harry shrugged. It didn't really matter. They were officially mated and he was eligible to get his own apartment, to do his duty with his mates, just like other mated boys. He actually wondered if there would still be anybody unmated in a few days.

"I think it is your legal duty to ask for your apartment now," Hermione told him. Despite her serious words, Harry could feel some teasing in her voice. He could also feel that she was excited and a bit worried at what was expected of them to do, once they reached that apartment. He wondered how he felt that. Still, they walked hand-in-hand to the headmistress's office.

Harry presented the two letters concerning the two girls. Minerva smiled a bit. "I see you still end together, one way or another. Are you happy with this?"

Hermione answered. "We're very happy. Harry has also proposed to me and I accepted."

Minerva's smile deepened. "Yes, the portraits informed me of that. Wasn't there another thing that happened soon after?"

"Well, we kissed. When we parted, we were told that we glowed and then there was a flash. We didn't see it."

"Do you have any idea what that might signify?"

Hermione gave it a moment of thought and then shook her head. "It can't be!" she said, as if to herself.

"What do you mean, dear?"

"I think I've read that such a glow followed by a flash is the indication of a soul bond, as Neville suggested, but I doubt we're close enough to form such a bond."

"I believe you are, Lady Potter. That magic was felt throughout Hogwarts. I can't think of anything but a soul bond that has that effect."

"I think I still owe Hermione a proper wedding. Maybe we can have it during the holidays?" The question was addressed at Hermione.

"I think that can be arranged. Even if we follow the Ministry's orders and I get pregnant soon, it will not show until well after the holidays. I'll tell my parents we're engaged and urge them to have everything ready for the winter vacation."

Harry wasn't sure if her parents would like the idea or not, but he had no time to contemplate, as Minerva talked. "That should work nicely, Lady Potter. I only hope you invite me to the wedding."

"Of course, Professor, and please call me Hermione. As much as I like being Lady Potter, I'm still the same Hermione that you know since first year."

"Well, not exactly. You've both grown into people I'm proud to have taken part in their education. Now, I suggest you go and have dinner. One of the house elves will show you to your apartment after your meal. Your belongings will also be moved there by then."

Harry's stomach grumbled, reminding him that he had skipped lunch, taking only some tea with biscuits at the Ministry, before visiting Narcissa. Hermione smiled at him. "I think somebody is hungry."

They thanked the headmistress and soon joined their friends at the Gryffindor table. They saw Ron snogging Lavender there, in full view of the whole school, yet nobody seemed to mind, except a certain Slytherin who looked gloomy. They chose to sit near Neville, who seemed pensive. "What is it?" Harry asked him.

Neville passed a letter to him, assigning him both Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott as mates. "I promised Hannah to be hers. What should I do now?"

"Aren't they good friends? You wouldn't want to separate them, I believe," Hermione said with a slight grin. She seemed to be very happy since finding she and Harry were mated.

Neville lightened up. "Yes, that could work well, and Susan is certainly a nice girl. I think I'll go talk to them."

His place wasn't left vacant for long, though. Ginny plopped in seconds later. "You two look very happy. Is it about the Ministry's matings?"

"Yep! We were assigned as each-other's mates. Who's yours?" Harry responded.

"Well, it should have been you, but I'm just as happy to have Dean Thomas as my assigned mate. He even promised to wed me during the winter holidays."

"Are you his only mate?" Hermione asked.

"I think so. The letter from the ministry didn't mention any other names."

"Will it bother you if he has to mate another as well?"

Ginny shrugged. "I knew it was coming. Dad was talking about the unfairness of this since before we returned to school. I think I can handle it, even if Dean needs to shag another as well."

"Harry was assigned two more mates," Hermione noted.

"Two? Can you even cope?" she asked Harry.

He shrugged. "I'll do my best. It's only a temporary legal commitment, until they get pregnant, you know." He still blushed nicely.

"They say nothing is more permanent than the temporary. I'm sure you'd like to know all your children, eventually living with the mothers and the children." Her gaze returned to Hermione. "How will you feel about that?"

Nothing seemed to affect Hermione's happiness. She just shrugged. "I always knew Harry had more love in him than other people. I'm sure he won't neglect me or any of the others. I think we'll eventually become a very happy family."

"Who are the others?"

Harry glanced at Hermione, as if consulting with her. "I'd rather not talk about them before it's made public," he said.

"Fine. I think I should join Dean now." Ginny moved to sit near her mate, seeming quite content.

Hermione looked at the Ravenclaw table. She could see several girls with darker skin there. "Do you know which girl is your designated mate?"

Harry turned his gaze there. A certain chocolate skinned girl attracted his attention. "I think that's the one."

"She looks quite nice. Shall we talk with her after dinner?"

"No. I want tonight to be only with you and for you. We can talk with her tomorrow, after breakfast."

He didn't understand why Hermione grabbed him in a passionate snog just then and there, but he was not one to complain.

The headmistress attracted everybody's attention a few minutes later. "As you all know, the Ministry has started assigning mates. While most of us would prefer other solutions to the population problem, we must still act according to the law. Hogwarts has changed, making enough apartments to accommodate all the students who need their private rooms now. Those who are already mated will be shown to their rooms after dinner."

Looking around, Harry saw Ron having mixed feelings, as he was glancing at the Slytherin table while hugging Lavender. Ginny seemed content, hugging Dean, as were several other. Only Parvati seemed to frown, yet Seamus came quickly to her side, whispering something that made her giggle.

At the other tables, Neville seemed quite content, hugging both Susan and Hannah; Draco looked gloomy as Pansy was pressing at his side, yet a slim brunette who looked much younger was cuddling at his other side. Both girls seemed content. He was surprised to see Luna at the Slytherin table, held close by a boy he couldn't recall his name, looking as dreamy as always, with a slight smile on her face.

As they were finishing dinner, a house elf popped at their side. "Would you like to be shown to your apartment now?"

Harry smiled at the small creature. "Sure. Lead the way."

He still glanced at the Ravenclaw table, seeing that chocolate girl talk animatedly with her friends and looking content. She did lift her eyes to his for a short moment before looking away.

The apartment they were led into was much larger than Harry expected. It had two bedrooms, each with its own toilet facilities, a comfortable common room and even a small dining area with an old fashioned kitchenette. He also sensed Hermione's surprise, although he couldn't know what caused it.

Their trunks were both set in one of the bedrooms, so they chose that one to stay in. Like everything else at Hogwarts, it looked ancient, lacking a walk-in wardrobe, and the attached bathroom seemed to have been added only recently, yet it had large enough cupboards to accommodate all their clothes with room to spare.

"You may use the bathroom first," Harry suggested.

Hermione took some stuff from her trunk and moved promptly to the bathroom. It didn't take her long to come out, wearing only a flimsy nightgown that didn't really hide her curves. She blushed as she saw Harry admire her and rushed under the blanket.

Harry made sure to be clean and to smell nicely. He even shaved his stubble, so that Hermione would have as pleasant an experience as possible. He came back to the bedroom wearing his boxers only. His eyes went almost out of their sockets as he turned his gaze at the bed. Hermione had removed the blanket as well as her gown and was lying on her back, looking as pure and as innocent as a baby, while still being an extremely sexy and desirable young woman.

Harry devoured the sight. Hermione's skin was almost white, as she had already lost the slight tan gained throughout the summer. It was smooth and tight. The only blemishes he could see were the slight scar remaining from Dolohov's curse during the battle at the DOM, and the scar on her wrist caused by Belatrix during their captivity, less than a year earlier. He cringed internally at the memories.

Her face looked serene and beautiful with two pools of chocolate-like eyes, two rosy lips that needed no lipstick, and a small delicate nose. Her body looked perfect to Harry, with just the right size of breasts, tight waistline and widening hips. She was just perfect.

Harry joined Hermione in bed, losing his boxers on the way. He kissed her lips tenderly and hugged her tightly, with Hermione doing just the same. It soon turned into a heated snog and their hands started roaming all over. "I love you so much!" he said hoarsely as their lips parted for a moment, before continuing kissing. Eventually, his hand roamed between her thighs, finding her feminine entry wet and ready. "I didn't..." he started saying.

"I was thinking mainly of this since I found out we were mated. Now, you have a task to complete. Make me yours forever."

It wasn't a conscious act. He just seemed to slide into her as her legs engulfed him in a hug, pushing him farther in. She barely grimaced as he passed her barrier, and then they continued kissing and caressing more fiercely.

He would never be able to remember the details, as he acted on pure instincts, feeling as if he was dazed and his body had a mind of its own.

Harry was unable to remember when he fell asleep. Was it after the third time they reached orgasm together, or were there more? He only knew that the night was the best night he had ever had and the s*x was much better than what he had experienced with Narcissa merely a few hours earlier. He also felt quite sure that there was no chance for Hermione not to be impregnated with so much sperm going into her. He actually loved the idea of having children with Hermione much more than having them with anybody else.

Hermione was a bit sore in the morning, but extremely happy, and a quick spell took care of the soreness. Had they not needed to attend lessons, Harry was sure that she would have liked to continue their nightly activity, as would he. Still, they got ready for the day. Hermione no longer minded that Harry saw her naked. She even seemed to enjoy that, as did Harry.

Once showered and properly dressed, they left their new lodging and joined the others at the breakfast table in the great hall.

Harry looked around and noticed some changes. Ron was sitting between Lavender and Milli, all three looking content. Millicent even looked prettier than usual, which was a nice surprise. It was no surprise to see Neville hugging both Hannah and Susan, all wearing goofy grins and looking a bit tired.

At the Slytherin table, Draco looked smug. The brunette at his side looked very happy, yet Pansy seemed furious, making Harry wonder.

Still, after the nightly activity, he felt quite hungry. He ate with gusto, making Hermione smile tenderly at the sight.