When Harry returned to Potter Manor the next afternoon, the warm afternoon light filtered through the grand windows of his study, casting golden patterns across the polished oak desk. A letter bearing the Gringotts seal sat waiting for him. He picked it up, noting the intricate goblin script embossed into the heavy parchment.
"Alice, could you bring me a light lunch, please?" Harry called as he sat down, unfolding the letter with curiosity.
Dear Lord Potter-Black,
If it is convenient for you, I am available to meet with you at 3 p.m. today, 3 July.
Regards,
Account Master Griphook
Harry glanced at the ornate clock on the mantelpiece, its delicate hands ticking toward 1 p.m.
"Alright," he thought, "that gives me two hours. Best to send a quick reply and get ready." He scrawled a short confirmation, folded the parchment with precision, and sent it off with Hedwig before finishing his lunch. The elf-delivered meal of a crisp salad and fresh bread was simple but satisfying.
After a quick shower and a change into well-fitted robes of dark blue, Harry felt ready for the day ahead. The soft fabric, accented with silver trim, reflected the dignity of his titles. By the time he stood before the imposing white marble facade of Gringotts, his demeanour was confident and commanding.
Approaching an open teller, Harry announced his appointment. Within moments, Griphook appeared, his expression a mix of professional curiosity and barely veiled excitement. The goblin's sharp features and shrewd eyes betrayed his anticipation as he led Harry to a private office.
The room was functional yet distinctly goblin: carved stone walls, a sturdy metal desk, and minimalist decor emphasising purpose over comfort. Griphook gestured for Harry to sit, his clawed fingers tapping lightly on the desk.
"What can I do for you, Lord Potter-Black?" Griphook asked, his tone clipped but intrigued. "Your letter mentioned a mutually beneficial business arrangement?"
Harry leaned forward slightly, locking eyes with the goblin. "Yes, but first, I need to explain something. Bear with me for a moment." Griphook's frown deepened, but he motioned for Harry to continue.
Harry recounted the tale of the Chamber of Secrets, vividly describing the hidden entrance, the ominous descent, and the intense battle against the basilisk. Griphook's skeptical expression shifted as the details unfolded, his sharp teeth gleaming as he began to smile.
"You slayed a basilisk?" the goblin asked, his voice betraying a mixture of astonishment and greed. "All by yourself?"
"Yes," Harry confirmed. "And that brings me to my proposal. I want to discuss terms for the goblins to harvest the basilisk's remains."
Griphook's demeanour transformed entirely, his enthusiasm barely restrained. "How large is the beast?"
"Fifty feet at least," Harry replied. The goblin's eyes gleamed like polished onyx, a testament to his excitement.
Griphook immediately began negotiations, and the two sparred verbally, countering and offering concessions. The air between them crackled with tension, the stakes as tangible as the thick parchment contract that appeared on the desk. By the end, they shook hands, Griphook's clawed grip firm and triumphant.
"Forty percent to the goblins," Harry concluded, "plus all the meat. You handle the sales and distribution of all harvested materials."
"A fair deal," Griphook agreed, his satisfaction evident in his tone. "When can we examine the basilisk?"
"I'll arrange it with Dumbledore and notify you," Harry said. With a final nod, Griphook left the room, leaving Harry alone to review his copy of the contract. The parchment's enchanted ink shimmered faintly, a reminder of the magical and financial significance of their deal.
O – o – o - o
Back at Potter Manor, Harry penned a letter to Dumbledore requesting permission to access the Chamber of Secrets. After sending it off, he spent the afternoon training, his body pushing through spell routines and physical drills in the expansive gymnasium. The space was filled with enchanted targets and moving dummies, their mechanical movements testing his reflexes. The rhythmic hum of spells and the crack of impacts echoed off the high stone walls.
That evening, Harry arrived at Bones Manor for dinner with Amelia. It was a blend of hearty food and intimate conversation. Later, as they lay entwined in her luxurious bed, the soft glow of the bedside lamps bathed their naked forms in a warm light.
Amelia's touch was tender as her fingers traced idle patterns on his chest. "How did your meeting go with the goblins?" she asked softly.
Harry recounted the details, his tone a mix of satisfaction and mild relief. Amelia's approval was evident in her smile, her pride in him warming his heart.
"You don't give yourself enough credit," she said, brushing a kiss across his lips. "The goblins respect you far more than you realise."
When the conversation shifted to the impending dinner with their friends and allies, Harry hesitated before asking if she'd stand by him when he spoke with Dumbledore about the basilisk. Amelia's steadfast support soothed his nerves, and their laughter echoed through the room as teasing remarks turned into playful wrestling, then deeper expressions of their affection.
The next morning Harry received an owl back from Dumbledore saying he could come to Potter Manor in the afternoon the next day if that was convenient. Harry immediately sent off a reply saying that was fine and then upon Hedwig's return he sent a note to Amelia letting her know when the meeting would occur. The note he got back said she would be there along with something else that made him blush deeply. He folded it and hide the note in a desk drawer. Little did he know this was the start of what Harry would one day call his naughty drawer, filled to the brim with dirty notes Amelia had written him over the years.
Harry followed his usual routine for the rest of the morning and then in the afternoon he went to find Hermione in the library.
"Have you had lunch Hermione?" he asked as he approached her.
"No, I've been so enthralled by this book, I guess I forgot," she said a bit embarrassed.
"Alice," called Harry.
"Yes, Harry sir," said Alice with a bow. Hermione frowned slightly at the appearance of the house elf. Harry had explained to her the need for house elves to bond with wizards, but it still made her uncomfortable.
"Could you bring us some lunch and tea, please." asked Harry kindly.
"Of course Harry, sir," said the house elf as she snapped her fingers to conjure a small table and two chairs. They sat down at the table and talked casually until the food arrived. Once they had both eaten their share, Harry brought the conversation around to something he had been wanting to discuss.
"Hermione, I have something I would like to run by you. I don't know if it's possible, but I was hoping between the two of us we might be able to determine if it is or not."
"Alright, go on" said Hermione, excited about a new challenge.
"I took the Potter engagement ring from the vault at Gringotts when I found out about the marriage contract. Last week Sir – a friend - recommended that I take it to a jeweller to confirm what charms are on it and update it if I saw fit," said Harry.
"Okay," said Hermione nodding along.
"Well, apparently it has a charm on it that will allow Amelia to signal me if she is in trouble and then allow me to go to her no matter where she is at or how well warded the location is. As far as I understand it only works because our magic is bound together by the marriage contract, so I don't know if it's possible to make it work on a larger scale but..."
"If we could..." Hermione gasped. "Oh Harry, the implications! It could be very useful." Harry laughed.
"I know, that was my thought as well. I'm sure someone has tried to do it and it hasn't worked but well," said Harry blushing a little. "Well, they weren't you, Hermione. You're always telling me that sometimes something that seems impossible only needs another set of eyes," finished Harry with a grin. Hermione smiled back at him.
"If we can get something similar to work without the magical bond, what do you plan to do with it?" asked Hermione.
"Well, if can figure out how to make it work, at least in theory, I plan on talking to the Weasley twins about designing something and producing it on a large scale. Then I need to find a way to connect them all, and ideally have them linked to some sort of medium so we can track them, like the Marauders' map, but that might take more time than we have," said Harry running his fingers through his hair.
"That's all?" Said Hermione raising an eyebrow. Harry shrugged and chuckled.
"I'll help any way I can Harry," said Hermione sincerely.
"Well, we can start here," he said standing up and leading her over to a set of bookshelves near the back.
"The jeweller gave me these. They cover the charms used on family heirlooms throughout history, how they were designed, how they work, that sort of thing."
"How did you get them to give you these?" Asked Hermione suspiciously. Harry just flashed her his signature grin.
"Right," she said rolling her eyes. "What is this one?" she said pointing at the one lone large tome on the second shelf.
"This one, the goblins put together for me. It covers how magical bonds are created in contracts," responded Harry proudly.
"This is a great start Harry. I'll get right on it," said Hermione as she grabbed all the books and went back to the table. Harry laughed at his bushy haired friend and then left her to it.
The next day, when Dumbledore arrived at Potter Manor, Amelia was already seated beside Harry in the sitting room. Her crisp robes of midnight blue and the sharp set of her jaw made her presence commanding. Harry, in his casual but refined attire, felt a swell of confidence with her by his side.
"Hello, Madam Bones. I wasn't expecting to see you here," Albus said cordially.
"Harry asked me to be here," Amelia said sternly as she looked at Dumbledore with barely concealed disdain. It was impossible to miss the intensity of her glare as she eyed Dumbledore, and he shifted uncomfortably as he took his seat.
"I see," he said.
"Good evening sir," chimed in Harry before the tension could get any worse. "There are a couple of reasons why I asked to meet with you." Dumbledore nodded letting Harry know he was listening.
"First, Amelia and I are engaged," he said with a smile as he looked over at her briefly. "When I claimed the Potter Lordship I learned about a marriage contract between myself and Amelia that is unbreakable. We must be married before 15 June of next year or well you know," Harry trailed off.
"But how is this possible?" Asked Dumbledore. "I knew nothing of a marriage contract between your two houses and as your magical guardian I would have been privy to such information." Harry didn't miss Amelia's eyes flare with anger when he said, "magical guardian".
"I should move on before she combusts," he thought. Harry quickly explained the time charms put on the contract and then told him about the formal dinner he wanted to have at the weekend to let the others know.
"I understand wanting to pass on this news to everyone at once. I assure you I will be there to offer any support I can, and I will let the others in the order know to be there as well," said Dumbledore with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "What is the other reason you asked me here?"
"I have reached an agreement with the goblins regarding harvesting the basilisk that I defeated in the Chamber of Secrets. I would like to arrange a date and time to bring them to the chamber to see the condition of the snake and complete the tasks we agreed upon if the snake is salvageable," responded Harry.
"I think we can arrange something, but surely Hogwarts should get some benefit from this since the basilisk has been housed there all these years," probed Dumbledore, clearly trying to get something out of this.
"You do realise that the basilisk belongs to Harry by way of conquest, no matter where it's corpse is currently situated, do you not Headmaster?" Said Amelia tersely.
"Of course you are correct Amelia." Said Dumbledore trying to placate the clearly angry witch.
"While Amelia is correct, like usual," Harry said offering her another smile. "I am prepared to assist Professor Snape in procuring needed potions ingredients for a discounted cost, provide the school with new learning and practice brooms as well as updated textbooks for Muggle Studies, and give a generous donation to Madam Prince for the library." Both Amelia and Dumbledore raised their eyebrows at this.
"That is very generous of you Harry," said Dumbledore in surprise, a genuine smile returning to his face.
"Indeed," followed Amelia.
"So when can we get started?" asked a grinning Harry.
"If the goblins are in agreement, tomorrow would be fine," said Dumbledore. "There are very few professors in the castle right now so no one should get in your way, but may I tag along? I must admit I am very intrigued at seeing this basilisk."
"Very well," said Harry with a nod. "I shall make the arrangements with the goblins and then we will see you tomorrow. I will send you an owl with the time when I know."
"If that is all then I will take my leave. Lovely to see you Amelia, and congratulations to you both," said Dumbledore as he stood. Then he stepped into the fireplace. "Till tomorrow Harry."
Harry leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply. "Well, that went better than expected," he said, glancing at let out a sigh of relief and left to send an owl to Griphook, kissing Amelia gently as he left. He had planned on coming back right away, but he got caught up in a few other things he needed to finish and by the time he got back to the lounge Amelia was fast asleep in the love seat with a book in her lap. Harry removed the book from her lap, putting it quietly on the table. Then he picked Amelia up and carried her up the stairs to his bedroom. Amelia awoke slightly when he picked her up, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her head into his chest.
Once they reached the bedroom Harry gently laid Amelia down on the bed and undressed her, before removing his own clothes and crawling in beside her, covering them both with a blanket, and wrapping her tightly in his arms.
The next morning Harry was woken up an hour earlier than usual by an annoying tawny owl pecking at his hair. He gently removed himself from around Amelia to not disturb her and then grabbed his glasses from the bedside table. He sat up and took the note from the owl and then gestured for it to leave. He looked down at the letter and smirked. "Apparently the goblins are eager," he thought.
Dear Lord Potter-Black,
We will meet you at the gates to Hogwarts at 10am. Do not be late.
Griphook
Harry sighed and got out of bed to go to his office and write a letter to Dumbledore letting him know they would be there at 10. Once he was finished, he went to the kitchen and asked Alice to put breakfast together for him and Amelia on a tray, then he went for a run. When he got back the tray was ready, so he chugged a glass of water and then took the tray back up to the bedroom.
Amelia was still sleeping so he sat down on the edge of the bed and gently pushed loose strands of hair behind her ear, when she moaned, he bent down and kissed her cheek causing her to open her eyes.
"Good morning beautiful," he said kissing her fiercely on the lips. "I brought you breakfast."
Amelia smiled at him and sat up to stretch, her eyes widening when she noticing that she was naked.
"You didn't take advantage of me last night did you Lord Potter? I would be very disappointed to know I missed our first time," she smirked. Harry laughed gently.
"I just thought you would be more comfortable," he said leaning into her. "And trust me Amelia, when I make love to you for the first time, I'll make sure you never forget it."
Amelia hummed happily at the thought and pulled him in for a kiss.
"I'm going to go shower," said Harry pulling away. "Enjoy your breakfast."
"How about I shower with you and then we can have breakfast together,' said Amelia as she stood from the bed and walked into the bathroom. Harry gulped audibly then followed after her.
At 9:50 a.m., Harry and Amelia apparated into Hogsmeade. The crisp summer air greeted them as they strolled toward the towering gates of Hogwarts, where Griphook and a small contingent of goblins awaited them. The goblins stood in military-like precision, their sharp features set with focus. Griphook, slightly shorter than the rest but radiating authority, stepped forward.
"Lord Potter-Black," he greeted, his deep voice respectful yet firm. He offered a slight bow, his pointed teeth glinting in the sunlight.
"Master Griphook," Harry responded, mirroring the bow. Amelia stood by his side, her striking auburn hair pulled into a sleek bun, and her sharp blue eyes missed nothing.
Before more could be said, Argus Filch shuffled over, his tattered robes brushing the ground, and swung open the creaking gate. His scowl was as sour as ever.
"This way," he grumbled, glaring at the goblins before turning to lead the group.
The walk to the castle was uneventful but steeped in nostalgia for Harry. The majestic stone walls of Hogwarts loomed above, familiar yet distant. Inside, the entrance hall's high ceilings and ancient banners brought a sense of home, though Harry's focus remained on the task ahead. They were met by Dumbledore, his half-moon spectacles gleaming and his long beard flowing like a silver river.
"Harry, my boy," Dumbledore said warmly, shaking Harry's hand with both of his own. "Right on time, as expected. Now, let's see this famous chamber of yours." His blue eyes twinkled with curiosity.
Harry led the group to the second-floor girls' lavatory, the damp smell of mildew filling the air. Moaning Myrtle hovered near a stall, her translucent form flickering with irritation.
"Hello, Myrtle. Nice to see you again," Harry said kindly.
"Hello, Harry. Professor Dumbledore," she replied, peering curiously at the goblins. "Are these your friends?"
"Yes," Harry said. His tone softened. "We've come to get rid of the snake that killed you. I hope that's alright?"
At this, Myrtle wailed dramatically and plunged into a toilet, her cries echoing from the pipes below.
"I'll take that as a yes," Harry muttered, shaking his head with a small smile.
Steeling himself, Harry approached the sink. Placing his hands on the worn porcelain, he hissed, "$OPEN."
The familiar grind of stone against stone filled the room as the sink split apart, revealing a gaping, dark hole. A faint draft carried the scent of earth and decay. Amelia's eyes widened.
"So it's true," she murmured. "You can speak Parseltongue."
Harry turned, sheepish. "Uh, yeah," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck.
Amelia stepped closer, her voice dropping. "It's very sexy," she whispered, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, amused. Amelia flushed slightly but refused to look away from Harry.
"How do we get down there?" she asked, peering into the abyss.
"Last time, we, uh, just jumped," Harry admitted. "Well, Lockhart went first," he added with a cheeky grin.
Amelia rolled her eyes but then smiled. "Try dura gradus," she suggested.
Harry frowned. "What?"
"In Parseltongue, say dura gradus. It's a spell for conjuring staircases."
Harry hesitated, then hissed, "$DURA $GRADUS."
To everyone's amazement, the walls of the shaft began to shift and ripple, forming a smooth, spiralling staircase that descended into darkness.
"That would've been useful to know last time," Harry muttered as he took the first cautious step down.
The staircase led them to the familiar tunnel, where the air was thick with dampness and the faint stench of decay. Amelia shivered slightly but pressed on. When they reached the cave-in, she raised her wand.
"LAPIS REPARO!" she commanded.
The stones shuddered and rose into the air, snapping back into place until the path was clear. Harry gaped.
"Why didn't I think of that?" he muttered, earning a chuckle from Amelia.
As they pressed forward, Amelia froze, her eyes fixed on the massive snake skin draped across the ground. Its faded emerald scales still gleamed faintly in the dim light. Her face turned ashen.
"Merlin's beard," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Harry moved to her side, gently taking her hands in his. "It's okay," he murmured. "I'm okay. We've got this."
Amelia nodded shakily but didn't let go of his hand. Together, they reached the towering doors. Once again, Harry hissed, "$OPEN."
The doors slid apart, revealing the Chamber of Secrets. The vast space stretched before them, its ancient carvings and eerie green lighting casting shadows on the wet stone walls. At the centre lay the basilisk, its colossal body coiled in death, its milky eyes staring into the void. The goblins surged forward, their tools and spells already at work.
"Merlin and Morgana!" Amelia gasped. She turned to Harry, her face a mixture of awe and disbelief. "That's much bigger than 50 feet! How did you -"
Harry gave her a sheepish grin. "It was mostly luck, I think," he said modestly.
Amelia squeezed his hand. "Luck or not, it's an incredible feat."
Griphook approached, his sharp grin wide with excitement. "The snake is in extraordinary condition. Lord Potter-Black, you were modest indeed. The goblin nation is impressed. You have earned our respect as a true warrior and a friend." He bowed deeply, a gesture that made Amelia gasp.
"You honour me, Master Griphook," Harry replied, bowing his head in return.
The goblins worked tirelessly, their efficiency and expertise evident as they stripped the basilisk of its parts. Harry and Amelia sat to the side, sharing quiet moments as they watched the goblins dismantle the beast. Occasionally, Dumbledore wandered by, marvelling at the ancient architecture.
"Sirius," he thought. "You may want to see this."
"Bloody hell, Harry!" yelled Sirius, causing Harry to chuckle.
An hour later Dumbledore excused himself looking a bit queasy and then three hours later the goblins were finished and began carrying everything out of the chamber. Griphook approached them, his arms crossed with satisfaction. "The task is complete. What of the bones, Lord Potter-Black?"
Harry shrugged. "Send them to Dumbledore. I'm sure he'll find a use for them."
Griphook barked a laugh and nodded.
When Harry finally returned to Potter Manor that evening, exhaustion overwhelmed him. He collapsed onto his bed without even removing his shoes, falling into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, at Hogwarts, Dumbledore sat at his desk, savouring a lemon drop, when a swarm of owls burst through his window. They dropped the skeletal remains of the basilisk onto his desk, bones piling around him until he was nearly buried.
Pausing, Dumbledore chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, Harry. What a fantastic prank, my boy."
O – o – o – o
The day before Harry's formal dinner, he and Amelia lounged in his office, the late afternoon sun streaming through the tall windows. The room was cozy yet regal, with dark wooden paneling and shelves lined with ancient tomes. A small fire crackled in the hearth, adding to the warmth of the space. Harry leaned back in his chair, spinning a quill absently between his fingers as he and Amelia discussed the next day's gathering.
Their conversation drifted from menus to seating arrangements, but then Amelia's expression turned serious, her blue eyes narrowing as she straightened in her chair.
"Harry, about tomorrow," she began, her tone firm but measured. "Once everyone else has left, I'm going to confront Dumbledore."
Harry opened his mouth to respond, but Amelia raised a hand to stop him. "Before you try to talk me out of it, just listen," she said. Her voice was calm but resolute.
He nodded, setting the quill down and giving her his full attention.
"There's a lot he needs to answer for," Amelia continued, her gaze unwavering. "Not just about Sirius, though that's part of it. But more importantly, about you." She paused, searching for the right words. "There's too much about his motivations that I don't understand. And I can't shake the feeling that the knowledge we need to defeat Voldemort starts with him. He knows things—things he's not sharing. He has to. And I need to understand why."
Harry's green eyes softened as he listened. He reached out and gently placed a hand over hers.
"I understand, Amelia," he said, his voice quiet but sincere. "I trust you to do what you think is best. But please… don't hurt him too badly. He may be a senile old goat, but I do care about him." A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Amelia let out a soft sigh, her expression momentarily conflicted.
"I really hoped you wouldn't ask that of me," she admitted, her tone wry. "But I suppose I should have known better. For you, I'll try to handle things as diplomatically as possible."
With that, she stood and crossed the room, perching herself on Harry's lap. She cupped his face gently, brushing a soft kiss against his lips.
Just as Harry began to relax into the moment, Amelia suddenly pulled back, a laugh bubbling from her lips.
"What's so funny?" Harry asked, tilting his head as he looked up at her, bemused.
"I was just imagining Moody's face when we tell everyone," she said, her laughter contagious. "I'm not sure if he'll feel sorrier for me or for you."
Harry smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Should I be concerned that you're thinking about Mad-Eye Moody while you're kissing me?" he teased, raising an eyebrow.
Amelia rolled her eyes, swatting him lightly on the shoulder. "Don't be ridiculous."
But her laughter lingered in the room, and even Harry found himself grinning at the thought. The tension from earlier had eased, replaced by their shared humour and mutual affection. He watched her for a few minutes, pushing loose strands of hair behind her ear and thinking about how much things had changed over the last few weeks. This Amelia with him now was so different from the stern, lonely, burdened woman he saw at his trial last summer. This Amelia was playful, laughed easily, and could be extremely erotic when she wanted to be. He knew Amelia had a hard job, he could see the strain in her eyes some nights when they were together, but he was so grateful that she allowed him to see the real Amelia, instead of only the Amelia she showed the rest of the world. This Amelia was just for him and he really liked that.
"What are you thinking about?" asked Amelia when she noticed his mind wandering.
"How perfect you are," smiled Harry looking deeply into her eyes. "Now's the time," he thought.
"Smooth Potter," teased Amelia before leaning down to plunge her tongue into his mouth for a while. When Amelia eventually pulled away Harry manoeuvred her off his lap and into the chair.
"Stay here," he said. "I have something for you." Then he kissed her gently, walked over to his desk, and pulled a small box out of the top drawer.
"I know neither of us planned on being bound to each other by a marriage contract and if left to our own devises I imagine that we would have followed very different paths to the one we're on. I find myself very grateful for the foresight of our ancestors and glad of the circumstances that have brought us together." Harry said as he made his way back over to her where she was sitting. Tears were beginning to well in Amelia's eyes as Harry kneeled before her.
"You give me a reason to fight Amelia, you give me hope that there will be something here, in this life, for me when all of this with Voldemort is over. You always seem to know what I need before I do, but you don't push me, you let me figure it out in my own time. You trust me to make my own decisions, and you are the first person in my life that hasn't kept things from me for my 'own good'. You see me as an equal. No one has ever done that before. You are fiercely loyal, brilliant, true to your heart, funny, sexy as hell, and you bring so much joy to my life. I can't imagine anyone else I would want to spend my life with. Amelia Bones, will you marry me on the Hogsmeade weekend at the end of May?" Asked Harry with a wide smile on his face.
Amelia answered by tackling him to the ground and kissing him passionately. Their tongues duelled for dominance while Amelia ripped his clothing off at a frantic pace. Within minutes they were a heap of naked limbs on the floor and Jekyll discreetly shut the door to the study in case there were any unexpected visitors, like Hermione going to the library. When they came up for air, Harry looked into Amelia's eyes again and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"You never answered my question Amelia. It's not nice to leave a man hanging like that." Said Harry cheekily. Amelia smiled at him.
"Harry, when I found about the contract I had hoped that we could get along and be happy together, but I never imagined how much I would come to lo- care for you. You make this old lady feel young again and have completely chased the regret and loneliness from my heart. Yes, Harry Potter, I will marry you, but more importantly than that I choose to marry you with all of my heart." Amelia captured his lips once again as she slowly moved her hand down to trace along his toned muscles until she was reaching down between them and rubbing him until he hardened completely against her hand. Harry let out a sharp gasp into her mouth. Amelia pulled away and smirked at him.
* BEGINNING OF LEMON*
"I think it's time we address what was in my letter," she said huskily as she began running her fingertips down the inside of his thigh. She moved down his body and flicked her tongue against the tip of his erection, causing his hips to buck on their own accord.
"Oh Merlin," he thought. Amelia circled the base with her fingers before taking him into her mouth, moving her lips up and down while her tongue licked and played over the tip. Harry's panting increased as she continued her ministrations and his hands pulled roughly on her hair causing her to moan. Harry could feel the vibrations in her throat as she moaned, and he nearly lost control. Harry had masturbated before, increasingly more frequently since he met Amelia, but he soon realized that this was different, that the warm heat of Amelia's mouth around him was infinitely better and he wished for a moment that she would never stop. Yet, he knew that wasn't possible. even now he could feel the desire to release building inside him, and as the flames of pleasure started to cloud his mind, he knew he wouldn't last much longer.
"Amelia-I - Uh- I don't think I can- I'm going to," Harry tried to say.
"Uh huh," hummed Amelia around him as she removed her hand from his base to take him fully into her throat. Harry pushed his head further into the floor and moaned. When he hit the back of her throat the second time, he was gone, having no choice but to abandon himself to what he was feeling.
"Amelia!" he screamed as he spilled into her mouth. Amelia expertly followed the frenzied thrusting of his hips, sucking him until he stilled, and she had swallowed the last of his seed. When she felt him softening between her lips, she removed her mouth and looked up at him, to see him still shaking his head slightly with his eyes tightly shut. She laughed gently and then moved up to kiss along his jaw line and the corner of his mouth until he opened eyes and wrapped his arms around her waist.
* END OF LEMON *
"If I propose again tomorrow do you think I'll get the same response?" Asked Harry as he smiled at her.
"Maybe," she teased as she pulled him into a sitting position. Harry reached around her and picked up the small box that he had dropped when Amelia tackled him to the floor. He placed the ring on her finger and gently kissed her hand.
The next evening arrived quickly, and Harry stood in the lounge, waiting for his guests. He adjusted the cuffs of his robes, a mix of nerves and anticipation settling in his stomach. He greeted everyone warmly as they arrived, with Jekyll graciously escorting them to the dining room. The steady hum of chatter and laughter filled the air, signaling the start of what Harry hoped would be an enjoyable evening.
Amelia and Susan were the last to arrive, as planned. They had decided it would be best if Amelia's presence at the table was a surprise, ensuring that suspicions wouldn't arise too soon.
"Amelia," Harry greeted her with a wide smile, pulling her in for a lingering kiss.
Susan's giggle and a loud throat-clearing from the doorway broke them apart. Harry turned to find Neville standing there, his expression caught between a smirk and a nervous grin.
"Harry, mate," Neville began, rubbing the back of his neck, "could I, uh, have a word with you before we join the others?"
"Of course, Neville," Harry replied.
"Don't take too long, dear," Amelia teased, pressing a light kiss to Harry's cheek. She left the room with Susan, who frowned curiously, clearly wondering what Neville wanted to discuss.
Harry closed the door behind them and turned back to his friend. "What's on your mind, Neville?"
Neville hesitated, his face flushing slightly. "I was hoping you might talk to Amelia for me," he said finally.
"About what?"
"Well…" Neville shifted on his feet. "I was hoping she could approach my gran about a betrothal agreement—between Susan and me. I know it's what Gran expects, and, honestly, I want to secure things with Susan before she, uh, chooses someone else for me."
Harry raised an eyebrow, then broke into a sly grin. "I can do that, Neville. But…" His expression turned mischievous as he stepped closer. "As Susan's soon-to-be uncle, there's something I need to do first."
"Do what—ah!" Neville yelped as he suddenly found himself pressed against the wall, Harry's wand lightly but firmly pressed under his chin.
"If you hurt her," Harry said, his voice low and dangerous, "I'll have no choice but to chop off your balls and feed them to you. And that'll be before Amelia gets her hands on you." His emerald eyes gleamed with magic and fury. "Trust me, Neville—you'll wish I'd just killed you."
Neville's eyes widened in genuine fear. The raw power emanating from Harry was overwhelming, but he managed to stammer, "Y-yes, Harry. You've made yourself quite clear."
Harry stepped back, his expression softening into a grin as he extended a hand. "Good. We have an understanding, then."
Neville hesitated before shaking his hand, still pale.
"You have my blessing, Neville," Harry added with a laugh. "Now, let's get back to the others."
Harry opened the door, laughing softly to himself, 'That was even more fun than I thought it'd be. I'm dead when Susan finds out. Still worth it.'
Neville followed him, still looking slightly shell-shocked. When they entered the dining room, the room hummed with cheerful conversation. Amelia was speaking quietly with Tonks and Mr. Weasley, while Susan laughed with Ginny and Hermione. Harry walked over to Amelia, his grin widening when she looked up at him with a knowing smile.
Neville, however, went straight to Susan, still looking pale.
Across the room, Mad-Eye Moody stood in the corner, eyeing everyone suspiciously. Kingsley, Remus, and Snape were already seated, and the rest of the group mingled in clusters.
"Are those griffins in the far field?" Dumbledore's voice came from the balcony door as he stepped into the room. "How fascinating."
"Yes," Harry said, walking over. "Apparently, my grandfather Charlus was very fond of them."
Dumbledore nodded. "Well, it appears everyone is here, my boy. Shall we begin?"
Harry nodded, raising his voice to address the group. "Thank you all for coming. Please, take a seat. We'll enjoy the meal Alice has prepared, and afterward, I have some important news to share."
The group shuffled to their seats. Amelia immediately claimed the seat at Harry's right, earning a knowing smile from Hermione. Once everyone was settled, platters of food appeared, and the meal began.
Harry found himself enjoying the evening more than he had anticipated. Having everyone he cared about gathered together brought a warmth to his chest, though he couldn't help but note Ginny's subdued demeanour.
When the meal concluded, Harry stood, drawing the group's attention.
"I invited you all here tonight because you're the people Amelia and I care about the most," he began, glancing at Amelia with a smile. "And we have an announcement."
Several eyebrows rose at his phrasing, but Harry pressed on. "Amelia and I are getting married. You're all, of course, invited."
The room fell silent for a beat, shock registering on several faces. Tonks, Hermione, and Dumbledore, however, simply smiled in amusement.
The silence broke with a most unexpected sound—Snape laughing, dark and hearty.
Harry chuckled and nodded toward Amelia, prompting her to elaborate.
"When Harry met with Gringotts regarding Sirius's will, we learned of an unbreakable marriage contract between House Potter and House Bones," Amelia explained. "We wanted time to get to know each other before making the announcement, but we'll be married on May 28th."
"What?" Molly Weasley's shrill voice pierced the air as she shot to her feet.
Ginny, pale and teary-eyed, followed suit. "It's not fair!" she exclaimed.
"Surely Susan would be a better match," Arthur said gently. "Amelia's a wonderful woman, but don't you think—"
"Enough," Harry said sharply. "Susan is underage, and she's in love with Neville." He shot a glance at Susan, who blushed but looked proudly at Neville.
Molly, frowning, began gathering her family. Ginny whispered, "Mum, please, I want to go home."
Fred and George approached Harry before leaving. "Don't worry about Ginny, mate. We'll talk to her," Fred said.
George added with a grin, "And you'd better stop by the shop once it's open!"
After seeing the Weasleys off, Harry turned to find Amelia waiting.
"Well," she said with a smirk, "Snape's still laughing. I'd call that a success."
"I'm not sure what's up with Ginny, though," Harry admitted, only for Amelia to cut him off with a possessive kiss.
"She'll get over it. Let's focus on celebrating—properly," she murmured with a sly grin.
Just then, a scream from the dining room broke the moment.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER! How dare you threaten Neville!"
Amelia burst out laughing as Harry groaned. "Worth it," he muttered, taking her hand and heading back to face the chaos.