The (Non-Marriage) Law

Winter Fun

Lil joined Cissy in the guest room. This was the sleeping arrangement agreed upon before the wedding. Hermione's parents knew about the new connecting door leading to Hermione's room, now shared by the married couple, but that was best left unmentioned. Lil looked at it regretfully. She had promised herself not to impose on Harry immediately after the wedding, but it was very difficult to keep that promise. Cissy, who had already used that door, seemed a bit sad, as she too had decided not to interfere during the first night, even though it wasn't really the first.

"Do you think you're already pregnant?" Cissy asked.

"I think so, but it's too early to know for sure. My period is only two days late, and with all the stress concerning the law..."

"I believe I am. My period was due almost two weeks ago, and Harry was generous enough to fill me every day since we were mated." Unlike the time she had found that she was expecting Draco, which practically sealed her marriage, this time she was proud to bear a child to a man of her own choice, a man she was quickly falling in love with.

"Do you know if Hermione..." Lil started reluctantly.

"She didn't tell me, but she gets even more attention from Harry and she's glowing with happiness, which some consider a sign of pregnancy. I wouldn't be surprised if she is."

"Do you think Harry will stop… being with us, once he learns we're pregnant?"

Cissy laughed at that. "He will be enthusiastic to learn he's going to be a father, and he would want to keep us happy, if only for the benefit of the children." There was evident mischief in her voice.

Lil smiled and got ready for bed, as did Narcissa. Both were still slim and trim like before, and both put on only flimsy nightgowns. It was quite warm in the room and they hoped that even these garments would be soon removed.

In the other room, Hermione was cuddling to Harry, after having celebrated their wedding night. "Harry?" she said softly.

"Hmmm?" he replied, already falling asleep.

"My period is late. I think I may be pregnant."

This was enough to make him fully alert again. "Are you sure? That's wonderful! Shouldn't we tell your parents?"

She smiled lovingly at his enthusiasm. "It's too early to be sure. Muggle tests need another week or two before they can confirm this and so do magical methods, but my period used to come exactly on time – like a Swiss clock – even during our hunt. I can't think of any other reason for it to be late."

"Shouldn't we tell my other mates?"

"I think both are in a similar situation, yet we need to wait at least another week before we can be sure."

He hugged her tightly. "Shouldn't I give them their share as well. Lil missed a few nights with me and you know how much Cissy likes them."

"You may open the door and ask them to join us. I've already got more than my share today, although I can never get enough of you."

"Nor can I get enough of you," he said and added a kiss.

Hermione's bed had already been enlarged the first night of the holidays. Although not much wider than normal double beds, it was wide enough for the four of them to use it for whatever they had in mind. As the two women climbed into bed, leaving their nightgowns behind, Harry felt as if he was now complete. He had always thought that he only needed Hermione to feel that way, but after sharing bed with the three of them, only one – even if it was Hermione – left something to be desired.

Harry hugged Lil most, as if trying to compensate for the time apart. "I missed you," he told her, making her blush.

"I missed you too, both of you. I feel like you are more my family than all the rest put together," Lil said seriously.

"Well, I'm your mate, and the future father of your child. How much closer can one get?"

"I'd say it's as close as possible in the physical sense, but aren't you much closer with your wife now, than with either me or Cissy?"

Harry gave it a thought. "We share a soul bond – that's something that makes us much closer, and we've known each other for more than seven years already, but other than that, I feel almost as close to you and Cissy. Even if unofficial, you are my family."

He didn't understand why he gained himself a passionate snog from Lil and a tight hug from Cissy. Hermione just looked at the scene and smiled. She loved seeing her Harry happy.

It was the first Christmas after the war, yet the Muggle world was oblivious to it and the Grangers, although they had been affected by the war, preferred not to mention it, as far as possible, not that this was easy, considering that their son-in-law had two additional mates just because of that war. Still, they tried to view the fact that the couple was sharing bed with two additional women (if one could call a fourteen years girl a woman) as normal. They were quite aware of the connecting door and had no problem noticing that the beds in the guest room were left practically unused.

Christmas morning, Harry woke up cuddled with Hermione, as was becoming his preferred position, with two other naked females hugging them both. He thought that was the best way to wake up.

Hermione was also stirring awake, as was Lil, who seemed to suddenly remember the date. "Presents!" she said enthusiastically, waking Cissy as well. Harry laughed. For him, being surrounded by a loving family was the best Christmas present he could think of.

Soon enough they were ready to go out of their bedrooms. Cissy and Lil made sure to exit from the guestroom, despite being sure that their hosts already knew about their actual sleeping arrangement. "That's just basic courtesy," Cissy said, and Lil nodded her head.

Each girl got some jewelry from Harry as Christmas present. Both Cissy and Lil got diamond rings while Hermione got one of the Lady Potter signet rings. "There were several there, and I chose the one that seemed best suited for you, but you can use them all whenever you wish," he told Hermione.

"These rings are promise rings," He told the others. "They signify my intention to marry you as soon as you get pregnant – if you want to, I mean. When I visited Gringotts earlier this week, while you were clothes shopping, I found out that I have several titles and I could give each of you her own Lady ring."

The hugs and kisses he got in reply made him a bit dazed, yet very happy.

"Son, there are present for you as well," Mr. Granger reminded him.

For Harry, being called "son" was worth more than any present. He swallowed hard, to try and keep his eyes dry, and grabbed the few boxes waiting for him under the Christmas tree.

There was the usual Weasley sweater there, similar to the one Hermione got. Mrs. Weasley, although saddened by Harry and Ginny breaking up, still considered them adopted family. Both sweaters sported large HP initials, differing only in style – Hermione's were more feminine.

He then found three books. The one from Hermione was about the nine months of pregnancy, giving clear explanations about both the child's development in the womb and the mother's changing body and moods. Harry smiled thankfully at his wife. The book from Narcissa was about the first six months of a baby, just as clear and concise as the one from Hermione. He suspected they were both bought together. The third book was about teenage mothers. Lil smiled shyly as he looked at her.

He left his hosts' present last. The large package had no sign to let him find what it was. Once he tore it open, he found a beautiful album with all the pictures taken at the wedding and the reception and another one, still empty, for following a child's growth. "Thanks, we're sure to need it, as the ministry insists on having all young women pregnant within less than three months," he said.

Both Cissy and Lil got similar baby albums while Hermione got a new copy of all her childhood pictures in a nice album.

It was the pleasantest Christmas Harry had ever experienced. He felt surrounded with love and acceptance as he had never felt before. It was simply wonderful.

"We only have a few days until the new year. Wouldn't you like to check with Gringotts for more details?" Cissy asked him a day later. They had already studied all the documents that Harry brought from the bank, both before his mating and during the short visit before Christmas. Even Narcissa seemed unsure of herself when she saw the numbers. As Lady Malfoy, she was accustomed to having access to large sums, but the numbers Harry showed her were just too high to make any sense. While she was sure that the goblins wouldn't do such mistakes, she doubted her own understanding. Lil didn't feel able to help and Hermione also seemed overwhelmed by the large numbers.

Sharpclaw, the Potter account manager seemed very smug when asked about the numbers. "The document you've got shows the sums relevant to the last quarter. In a few days, you'll get the updated quarterly and yearly reports. I dare say that I expect the numbers to be much higher."

Hermione took a paper out of her bag. "I've written down the sums, the way I understand them. The numbers look too large to make sense. Are these numbers corresponding with your understanding of the report?"

Sharpclaw checked the paper. "Yes, these numbers seem to correspond with our report, concerning the Potter holdings. Of course, there are also the Black holdings, the Gaunt holdings and Pettigrew vault, which are not in that particular report, as they don't influence the sums by much. You will see it all in the annual report, in two weeks."

Hermione still looked at the numbers incredulously. Narcissa noticed something else, though. "Gaunt and Pettigrew?" she asked.

"Of course, Mrs. Black. Tom Marvollo Riddle, also known as Voldemort, was the last descendant of that line and he had no children. Lord Potter inherited his titles and his assets by conquest. We're also trying to get the remaining Riddle assets in the muggle world, as they should also be passed to him. As for Pettigrew, he betrayed his life-debt to Lord Potter by helping his enemy. Once dead, all his assets passed to Lord Potter, although there was very little of that."

They were silent on the way back to the Granger residence.

"He said that the Black holdings are insignificant compared to Potter's, and the Black was considered a rich family, richer than Malfoy. It's just too much to believe," Cissy finally spoke when they arrived.

"I don't mind the money," Harry said. "I'm only glad I have enough to be able to support you and the children you'll soon carry."

This made Hermione smile. "We may already be carrying your children. None of us got her period on time. We're going to check it before the new year. We had to set an appointment, as St. Mungos has too many women asking to be tested for pregnancy."

Harry's face broke into a smile. "You're all pregnant?"

"Probably, but we can't be sure until we check it," Hermione smiled back.

"I'll come with you. Although we all enjoy trying to get you pregnant, that's also a responsibility, and I intend to fully keep it." Harry was as serious as can be.

"We shall allow you to come, but only if you promise to behave," Narcissa said teasingly.

"I promise to be a good mate," he answered, just as teasingly.

They visited the hospital at the morning of New Year's eve. It went quite quickly, although they had to wait a few minutes. Harry went in with the three women. The healer waved her wand at each, mumbling a spell, resulting in some foggy forms appearing in front of them. She then invited them to sit down.

"Lady Potter, you're expecting a boy. Mrs. Black, you do as well. Miss Huston – you're going to have a girl. As far as I can tell, you three are doing well and should have no problems with your pregnancies. I expect you to be checked once a month. You should buy a potion against morning sickness, which is expected quite soon. A spoonful each evening should keep it to minimum."