Spring Equinox

Chapter 10

Hermione barely had a moment alone with Harry since bonding. They had used to spend some time just speaking softly in the library or walking along the lake before the Equinox. She had never given these times any thought; they were just part of being friends, so she felt. Now she missed them badly.

Then, on Wednesday, they had a free period before lunch. Harry's other wives were in class and Hermione grabbed her chance for some quality time with her husband. The weather was good and a stroll at the lake seemed nice. Harry didn't mind. He really liked their strolls, although he could now be much more intimate with Hermione than that.

"I think we should all visit Sirius during the weekend," Hermione said.

"Is it wise? Only Ginny knows about him, That may put Sirius in danger."

Hermione smiled at him. "Harry, none of your wives would do anything to put Sirius in danger. They all love you and they already know how important he is for you. Besides, nothing is a secret within the bond, haven't you noticed?"

Harry frowned. "I know I can read your thoughts and I can hear everyone of you in my mind at times. Is there more?"

Hermione sat on the ground, motioning Harry at her side. She took a twig and drew some lines on the sand. "Can you read this?"

Harry's frown deepened. He had never studied ancient runes, yet this seemed to just want to come into his mind. He concentrated for a moment. "Well, this is a protection rune, used by ancient Sumerians to keep the house safe against thieves."

"And how do you know that? You haven't studied ancient runes on your own, have you?"

"It… kind of… popped into my mind, like something I thought I forgot and yet I managed to recall it."

Her smile widened. "Yes, Harry, you recalled it, only it came from either mine or Daphne's memories. I told you we are now an open book for each other. Whatever one of us knows is shared between us all. You now have access to subjects you didn't study and to memories you didn't experience, just as we have access to yours." There was some mischief in her voice as she added, "I'd really like to understand how you ended on that roof at primary school."

Harry paled. He had never wanted to share some of his memories from the Dursleys. Now it looked like he had no choice. He immediately felt Hermione's soothing presence in his mind. 'Don't worry, we only appreciate you more for becoming the wonderful person you are, despite your relatives.'

"Do we share one mind or one soul now?"

She smiled. "No, although some might think so. Our souls are connected, connecting our minds as well, but we are still a different person each. We can even choose when to connect or disconnect, as you often do with Luna, yet this is mostly done unconsciously."

Harry thought some more. "Well, this connection may allow Ginny and Luna to graduate a year earlier than normal, as they can gain access to all you know."

"Yes, they may, although they may also choose not to." She now turned serious. "You haven't got any nightmares since bonding, have you?"

"None. Can it be the effect of the bond?"

"It may be. The bond gives each of us more resources to rely on, possibly strengthening your occlumancy shields. At least I hope so."

Harry didn't want to stay serious, though. "It also allows us much less privacy. How about shutting down our connections to the others and having some private time?"

"I sure like the idea," she said, moving much closer to Harry.

'Hogwarts! Privacy shields, please!' he thought as he captured her lips in a searing kiss.

'Done, my Lord,' he sensed, before fully concentrating on his wife.

They were almost late for lunch, their clothes a bit ruffled, but both smiled widely and seemed less stressed than before. Minerva saw them as they opened the doors to the great hall and felt a wave of love for these two wash over her.

They visited Sirius that weekend. With the toad removed, Minerva could freely use the Floo in her office. Still, for security reasons, they only floo'ed to The Leaky Cauldron and then used muggle taxi to reach Grimmauld place. Harry wasn't sure if his spouses would be able to see the house, not having Dumbledore, the secret keeper, tell them the secret in person or in writing. 'Don't worry,' Hermione told him. 'The bond overcomes the Fidelius. They all know now.'

It became evidently clear when Daphne led them to the door and used the snake knocker. "No need to knock," Minerva told her. She waved her wand at the door and they all heard the locks open.

It was a familiar scene for Harry and Hermione, after spending most of last summer in that house. The others, although having had some glimpses of it through their bonds, looked with a lot of interest and some dread. It really wasn't an inviting house. Its dark motives, its sombre atmosphere along with the troll leg and elf heads were actually inspiring dread in the incoming visitors, until Sirius came out of the kitchen, that is.

Sirius seemed to only notice his godson. "Harry! I'm so glad to see you!" he barked at him, engulfing Harry in a tight hug. It was only after releasing the hug that he noticed the other company. "Wow, boy! You've brought the best looking girls with you. What made you do it?"

Harry smiled, not quite sure how to say it. "I only wanted you to meet my whole family. These are my wives."

"Wives? You mean to tell me that you're not only married so young but also to five of the best looking girls?"

"Six," Harry corrected.

Sirius looked puzzled. "I only see five girls here."

Harry now smiled broadly. "I think you are wrong. There are six women here."

Sirius scanned the group. He could only count five girls, unless... That seemed too unlikely but...

Minerva took pity on him. "I'm Harry's wife as well," she said with a sheepish smile.

"You!?"

Harry took pity on Sirius now. "Why don't we all sit down and I'll tell you everything as it happened?"

Sirius still looked very puzzled, yet he moved aside, waving his visitors to the kitchen. They sat around the table. Hermione took the seat at Harry's right and Minerva sat at his left. Sirius sat at the head of the table, looking at Harry expectantly.

Harry looked at his wives. None seemed to be eager to talk. He sighed and began telling his story.

"It all started when Umbridge decided to have a Spring Equinox celebration."

Sirius seemed to know what this meant, as he smiled mischievously and became more attentive.

"...and then Umbridge asked what that flash meant and Minerva said it could signify marriage. Once she led me to her office, where the girls were waiting for me, we found a letter from the ministry, confirming our marriage," Harry finished his story.

"Wow! Six times wow!" Sirius was almost stunned, yet his Marauder nature still shined through. "I don't think anybody had the guts to shag Professor McGonagall since she joined the staff, even when she was much younger." He turned his glance at Minerva, admiring her new looks. "You actually look much younger than I've seen you last. This marriage seems to be good for you."

"Thank you, Sirius. It really is good for me. I never thought I'd experience the marriage bliss again, and yet Harry proved that nothing is impossible." She looked lovingly at Harry. It still felt odd to have such feelings for this young man, but she was thankful for every moment she could be with him.

Harry didn't want Sirius to start teasing him or Minerva, so he decided to make the formal introductions. "You already know Hermione. She's been my best friend since first year and she's now my first wife, Lady Potter."

Sirius smiled at her. "I've always thought you'd end up together, but I didn't expect it to happen so early."

"You also know Ginny. She wasn't as close to me before, but she was still a close friend. She's now Lady Gryffindor," Harry continued.

"Well done, Ginny. I knew you had a crush on Harry, although I didn't think you had a chance against Hermione. Now you're both his wives," Sirius congratulated her jovially.

Harry turned to Susan, who seemed nervous, continuing the introductions. "You may have met Susan's parents. They fought against Voldemort the previous time and were killed, just like mine. She joined my Defense Association and proved to be a very good fighter. I didn't know her before, but I came to like her. She will stay Lady Bones, but also Lady Hufflepuff, as she is a direct descendant and only heir of that line."

"Isn't your aunt the head of the DMLE?" Sirius asked worriedly.

"Yes, she is, and she believes you deserve a chance to prove your innocence. She will not use me or my husband to lure you back to Azkaban," Susan answered.

Harry didn't wait. "Luna used to be Ginny's childhood friend. I'm sure she didn't expect to be a co-wife with her, as Lady Ravenclaw."

"Ravewnclaw? How come?" Sirius asked.

"It looks like my mother was the descendant of a squib son of Rowena. The goblins found it when they did my inheritance test."

"Wow, Harry. You never stop surprising." There was admiration in Sirius's voice. Harry smiled, not quite sure what to say.

"I actually knew I'll become much closer with Ginny. I didn't expect to become co-wife with her," Luna explained.

"Did you expect getting married so soon?" Minerva asked.

"No, but I knew I'll be married soon after losing my virginity. I didn't know it would happen almost immediately."

Harry turned to his next wife. "Daphne Greengrass has never been close to me, being sorted to Slytherin, yet nobody could ignore her beauty, not even from a distance. She seems to have harbored some feelings for me, though. She's now Lady Slytherin."

"Slytherin? That needs some explanation, I believe."

Harry smirked. Sirius was so predictable...

"Well, according to the goblins, when the killing curse bounced, it killed Tom Riddle, the last known heir of Slytherin. This made me the next heir by right of conquest. His resurrection doesn't count."

Sirius sighed. "I'm too old for so many surprises at once. You must take some pity on your godfather, you know."

"Oh, shut it up. You are enjoying every moment of it," Harry replied.

"True," Sirius admitted. "Your father was a virgin at the end of fifth year, Hell, I was a virgin at that time, yet you – six wives and all the other girls there in one night! Wow, man! Wow!"

"Too much information," Harry protested, not losing his smile. "Last but not least: You've already met Minerva, and now she is Lady Peverell, my eldest wife. She has always cared for me but could not always act as she wanted. I believe she needs no restraints now."

Minerva smiled at his words. The double meaning didn't escape Sirius as well. He just raised a brow at her and she shrugged. Her experience with Harry was something she could not be ashamed of.

"I expected you to already know I was bonded to several girls," Harry added. "It was in The Prophet."

"I only get to read it if somebody brings the newspaper to me. I had no visitors for two weeks already, hence – no news either."

Harry's smile widened. "Then, you probably didn't get the news about the new owners of Hogwarts."

Sirius was quick enough to notice the titles of the ladies and he gasped a moment later. "That's you, isn't it?"

Harry bowed deeply. "Yep, that's us. We sacked Umbridge and had her arrested. I hope we can get rid of the Minister as well. He doesn't seem to do anything right."

"Who would you like in his place?"

"There may be some good people out there, but the only one I know is Madam Bones. I think that she may be the right person for the job, now that Voldemort is back," Harry said pensively.

"Yet we should first make sure you get a fair trial," Minerva added. "I'm sure you'll get acquitted of all charges and be able to live as a free man."

Sirius only nodded, not really letting himself hope. He had hoped to be free about two years earlier and it ended badly. He didn't dare raise his hopes again.