Chapter 2

It took a while to explain to Hermione the deal that he made with Mad-Eye, but he was right, she was all for learning knew things from a seasoned Auror. Neither one of them knew who this mysterious "Tara" person was yet, but they figured they would find out sooner or later. Moreover, if Mad Eye trusted her, they surely could.

At the moment, the two teenagers were not focusing their attention on just who "Tara" was or was not. Their primary concern was waiting on what was going to happen within the next five minutes. It would have been funny if the situation wasn't so serious. Both teenagers were sitting on each side of the couch, not daring to look at one another.

They were both embarrassed because Dumbledore told them both that each of them would share every experience in their life if the spell went right. They were also told that this spell would unlock the "adult" part of there magic, as well as add thirty-five percent more to it.

When Hermione asked why all wizards didn't do this, if it gave them more power, Dumbledore gave the evasive answer that "not everyone can".

Both teenagers had various things that they didn't want to share. Harry's was how he was treated as a child-he didn't want to appear weak in front of Hermione. His other fear was that she would have find out that he thought that she was beautiful and could possibly treat her as more than a friend.

On Hermione's part, she was afraid that once he found out that she was in love with him, then he wouldn't want to be friends anymore. She knew it wasn't rational. But then again, love wasn't very rational. She just hoped with all her might that he wouldn't just outright laugh at her. There were a lot of other embarrassing things in her life she didn't feel exactly comfortable letting him know-but it would all be worth it at the end.

When Dumbledore came in, he almost-almost-smiled at how nervous they looked. When Hermione asked the question as to why every witch or wizard didn't do this, he evaded the question. He evaded it, because the answer would have made them even more nervous. The answer was simple.

The people doing it had to be soul mates and that was very rare.

He was also carrying a small box in his left hand when he came in. Dumbledore conjured himself a chair and sat down so that he was directly in front of them. "In this box, there are two rings. I hope you are not offended, Ms. Granger, but both of them have the Potter Family Crest on them."

"No, sir. That's fine," she replied, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice. She knew instantly that she would be proud to wear Harry' crest.

"What are the rings for, Professor?"

"Well, they signify your bonding. But I must warn you. Once they are put on, they can not be taken off. This will be very final."

Since both of them wanted to do it anyway, they both reached hesitantly toward the box that Dumbledore had opened. Both were magnificently crafted and had the letter "P" in old English, set in solid gold. It was easy to tell whose was whose. One looked very feminine and other was clearly made for a male. They each looked at the rings with a smile.

"Now, as for the ceremony. Hermione, just place Harry's ring on his ring finger. And Harry, you do the same for Hermione." The old Headmaster watched as they did this, and then performed the spell without warning.

The last thing the teenagers heard before they blacked out was, "Proprius Potentia" There was a blinding flash of blue light as the teenagers slumped, unconscious, into the cushions of the sofa. However, after they were out and still glowing they each said two names.

Hermione said: Ginny Weasley. And Harry surprised Albus the most by giving a Slytherin girl's name: Blaise Zabini.

--

It was two hours later that Author Weasley, Molly Weasley and Professor Dumbledore were sitting around the kitchen table at Grimmauld place. They all had very serious faces, because it was a very serious matter indeed. The Weasleys could hardly believe what the Headmaster said happened after he had cast the spell.

They all knew from the history books that if there was a flash of blue after the spell was cast, that meant that the soul mates were very special. They were special because they had the potential to become Mages, with enough training. Moreover, the only Mage that anyone knew about was Albus Dumbledore, and that was kept as a secret among the Order Members. What the members didn't know was that the earlier a Mage potential showed signs, the more powerful they would be. Albus showed his potential at the age of twenty.

However, Harry and Hermione... Well, they would be very powerful.

However, just because they had power and potential, they still needed to train and learn the spells, not to mention practice them. So far, they were to be treated just like any other student. Albeit with a little more training than most.

The things that shocked the Weasleys the most, and why Dumbledore called them here, was that when Harry and Hermione were asleep, they softly called out to Ginny and Blaise. And Albus had to explain just what that meant to the girl's parents. Then he had to make a fire-call to Blaise's parents, one of which was muggle.

Therefore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts began to explain the true implications of both Harry and Hermione stating Ginny and Blaise's name in their slumber, simultaneously at that. He knew that it would be hard for them to take in. Like always, he started off with questions first.

"Do either of you know what a Mage Protector is?"

Both of them shook their head in a negative fashion.

"Well, to put in bluntly, it is someone who watches out for Mages while they are in training, and even after training. They do not have the same amount of power as a Mage does, but they are very powerful in there own right. They are just about three quarters as powerful as a Mage. And let me tell you: that is very powerful. With the right training, a Mage Protector could give me a run for my money," he added in an amused voice.

"But what does this have to do with our Ginny?" Molly asked in a trembling voice. She wasn't ready for her baby to have this much responsibility.

Albus didn't know any other way to put it. "When Hermione called her name while she was unconscious, Ginny was named her Mage Protector, just as Blaise is Harry's Protector. Neither Harry nor Hermione had any choice in the matter of choosing. A lot goes with that title. Some of it you may not like. But not even I could stop this if I wanted too."

For the first time, Dumbledore really didn't know what to do in front of the crying woman. Then she said something that completely surprised him-and that was saying something when it came to Dumbledore.

"Well, I'm just glad she was bonded to one of those two and not someone else. When will she become a Mage Protector, as you call it? She didn't seem any different this morning."

"Sometime after Harry and Hermione wake up, I believe." Then he completely changed the subject. "Would you like a lemon drop?"

3:30 PM, July 31^st

Harry was having one of the best dreams that he could ever remember having. He was dreaming that he and Hermione were snuggled up to each other in the same bed. In fact, he could almost smell the jasmine scented shampoo that she was fond of using.

It was at that moment that he realized that the dream was just a little too vivid. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the peaceful face of his 'Mione sleeping not but a few inches away. To him, this girl was definitely a vision-and speaking of visions...

All of the sudden memories were flashing through his mind. They were going as quick as lightning but he could understand every single one of them. All of the sudden he knew everything about Hermione from when she was just an infant, all the way up to now. It seemed like there was nothing that he did not know. And there was something else. Something very important.

"Holy shit. She's in love with me," he mumbled quietly.

Harry watched as a tiny smirk appeared on Hermione's face while her eyes were still closed. "Well, Mr. Potter, that wasn't exactly the wake up call I was hoping for. Really, I was sort of hoping for an 'I love you'"

"I love you, 'Mione," he replied, placing a light kiss on her lips.

I could get used to this, Hermione thought. But, oh, he has been through so much. However, Hermione would act like it didn't effect her, even if it tore her up inside. She knew he hated pity and she most certainly didn't want to embarrass him, because she too had seen ever one of his memories.

"You do know that we have to make a promise to each other, don't you?"

"And what is that, my love?"

That sentenced made her heart melt, but she decided not to make a big deal out of it. "Even though we know everything about one another now, we can't go telling other people embarrassing stories. And if you do that to me, just remember, I remember a lot of embarrassing one's about you!" she replied with an almost evil glint in her eyes, but he could still see that she was just teasing.

Harry just groaned, like someone had taken away his favorite toy. "You're such a kill joy," he added with mock seriousness.

It was just then there was the sound of a throat clearing in the doorway. Harry looked down at his and Hermione's bodies and thanked what ever gods there were that they were at least clothed.

There, standing in the doorway was the Headmaster and Ginny Weasley. He knew why the Headmaster would be there, but he had no clue as to why Ginny was there. But the strange thing was the feeling that he was getting from Ginny. It was almost as if he closed his eyes he would know exactly where she was. He could feel her power!

"Now, I think that I should explain why young Ms. Weasley is here. You will notice the gold ring with the symbol of the griffin on it. It symbolizes that she is a Mage Protector. Now for the whole story..."

It took about as long as it did with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Albus was glad that he had it out of the way. "So, to some it up, she is almost exactly like you, but with less power... Moreover, it is her duty to protect Hermione in all ways. However, all three of you will have to spend a very abundant amount of time together. If you don't, you will not like the consciences."

"What would happen?" Hermione was always the first to ask the questions.

"You can spend up to two days apart. But on the third day you will grow anxious. On the fourth day, you'll feel sick to your stomach. And on day number five you could very well become catatonic.

"When you arrive at Hogwarts, there will be a separate room for the four of you to share, so that you may spend time with one another. Also, you will find that physical contact acts as a soothing balm when one of you is agitated."

He was surprised that none of the teenagers caught on to the fact that he said "four" and not "three". However, he knew that Blaise would be there soon enough. In addition, if his research he had done were correct, Harry would feel her as soon as she used her portkey into Grimmauld Place.

Hermione raised her hand and ignored Harry rolling his eyes at her.

"Yes, Ms. Granger."

"Actually Professor, I have a question about protocol. I have read about this in 4^th year and it stated that whenever two soul mates merge that it is the same as marriage in the Wizarding world, but you get to keep your last names. Is that true? Am I Harry's wife?" She asked this with a bit of awe.

Dumbledore had the slightest smile on his face before he answered. "That is correct; you are now legally married to Harry. However, you will not have to share his name until you are ready. In addition, since you shared a piece of soul with Ginny, she is the closest thing to being a sister as one can get without blood. Nevertheless, I think that there is one more thing that you need to know about. However, I will tell you about that later.

"What about--"

Harry didn't finish, because his head snapped up and towards the door. His eyes were piercing and alert. He didn't feel that he was in any danger. He just-he just couldn't explain it. It was like a piece of himself had appeared somewhere in the house. But his scar didn't hurt, so that possibly ruled Voldemort out.

That was when he looked up at Dumbledore and he noticed he had that damn twinkle in his eyes again. "Why don't you go down stairs and say hello to your new Protector, Harry.

"I have a Protector like Hermione?"

"Didn't you listen to him at all, Harry? Honestly," Hermione replied with a roll of the eyes.

"She is also your wife, like Hermione."

Harry's face had a shell-shocked look on it when the Headmaster said that. He had two wives. He chanced a look over at Hermione, expecting her to be pissed, but he got a surprise. She had a damn smirk on her face.

Harry had the good grace to look sheepish as he made his way into the hall. That's when he noticed that his ring started to grow warm, so he looked down at it. What he saw shocked him a bit. The crest had changed. It now had a cobra circling the lion with its fangs bared. A deadly looking snake at that. Harry didn't know how he felt about that, but he had to admit it looked positively wicked.

He hadn't run into anyone on the way down the stairs as he went to the common room this time. That was where his senses were leading him. When he made it to the common room, he got the first view of his visitor; she was standing in front of the flames, just watching them as they burned.

Harry began to think the girl with long raven Hair would never turn around. She just stood as still as stone. But then, all of the sudden, she started to speak. "You know, most Slytherins think that you are just some spoiled attention seeking prat that always goes hunting for glory."

The girl's voice was melodious and beautiful, even if he didn't like the words coming out of her mouth at the moment. "Is that a fact?" he asked dryly.

"I used to think the same thing, you know. It seemed like you got all the attention. Almost all the teachers favored you. I thought that you must have been spoiled rotten at home just because of who you are." Still she didn't turn around. Still her voice was completely even.

Harry just gave a snort at that assumption. It would have almost been funny if it didn't suck so much. He wouldn't wish his old home life on anyone.

"I can't believe how wrong I was. I can't believe that I actually considered that you had it easy. You didn't even want the fame; it was just pushed at you." Harry got a shock when she turned around.

Blaise was crying.

Without thinking about what he was doing he crossed the distanced and enveloped her in a hug. In that moment, he saw things that he wished that he hadn't. There was beatings and pain magic used against her for as long as she could remember. And there were not nearly enough happy moments in this sixteen year old girl's life. Her life was hell.