It was their first weekend back in England. Sirius was visiting the Grangers again. After spending most of the evening telling stories about his younger self and the rest of the Marauders, he wanted to talk with the youngsters only.
"Harry, my house is finally fit for living. I'd like you to come for a visit, the three of you. This house is going to be yours, eventually."
Harry shivered at the implications. "It's still yours and should stay so for many years to come," he said firmly.
"As you wish, Lord Black," Sirius smirked.
"What do you mean?" It was both Harry and Hermione who asked. Fleur smiled understandingly.
"It means that your position has been confirmed by the law. It has passed all the red tape and all the objections of one Draco Malfoy, and confirmed by the Goblins as well. However, you must have a pureblood wife by your twenty-first birthday to continue holding this title, or it would fall back to Malfoy."
"I'm married to Fleur. Isn't that good enough?"
Sirius shook his head. "I'm sorry, but her Veela ancestry classifies her as less than a pureblood. Less than human, according to some."
Harry looked furious. Fleur grabbed his hand tenderly and he soon calmed down. Sirius smiled at the effect Harry's wives had on him. It could give him material for some good teasing one day, but this was not the right time.
"Harry, why don't I ask Miss Greengrass to come and visit with her father at the same time you come. It may give you a chance to get to know each other without all the school rivalries. She may prove better than just a random girl."
"Ginny is also a pureblood," he insisted.
"She may also fit the bill, but she's still too young and she has six brothers. Miss Greengrass only has a younger sister."
Harry failed to see why this should be of any concern.
Hermione intervened. "Harry, I'm sure she's going to be polite, at least. I believe she may even be friendly, with no other classmates around."
"This may also help you politically," Fleur said.
"Alright, alright! I know when to quit." Harry turned back to Sirius. "You may invite her, but don't raise your hopes. None of the Slytherins has been nice to me. At best – they ignored me."
Hermione gave him a quick peck and Fleur followed suite, making Harry forget the anxiety he had felt before.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
The Black ancestral home proved to be a large building, but despite the renovation work done, it was still quite dark and gloomy. The snake motif was very evident in many of the ornaments. "I need to change that," Sirius confessed, "but I have no idea what to do. Maybe one of the smart girls around you would come with a good suggestion."
Sirius gave them a short tour of the house. Only the living quarters, the study and the library were now clean and usable. The rest of the house – some more than twenty rooms – was still dusty and suspect of containing dark magic. A team of house elves was working diligently in one of the rooms, shooing them out the moment they just peeked in. "Too dangerous for wizards!" they said.
The floo flared soon after they finished their tour, bringing a portly wizard and a girl about Harry's age. It took him a moment to recognize her without the school robes. He remembered seeing her sitting at the Slytherin table, making faces at Malfoy's bragging. She had never been one of Malfoy's followers. It made him feel more relaxed, somehow. The girl looked around and smiled slightly when she noticed Hermione, yet adhered to the protocol and followed her father in greeting the Lord of the House first.
Sirius handled the formal introductions. "Lord Potter-Black, this is Lord Cygnus Greengrass, Head of the Greengrass House and a good friend, along with his eldest daughter, Miss Daphne."
Both Greengrass bowed slightly. Sirius continued. "Lord Greengrass, Miss Greengrass – this is my godson Harry Potter and his wives, Lady Hermione Potter and Mrs. Fleur Potter."
The three bowed slightly, yet Daphne couldn't hold her surprise. "Hermione, you're married?"
Hermione blushed. "It's very recent. I'll tell you later."
Daphne now turned to Harry. "Well, Lord Potter, I see you're still full of surprises, as usual." There was a hint of amusement in her voice and her smile was welcoming.
Harry bowed again. "I try my best not to disappoint, miss Greengrass."
"We shall see about that," she said, sounding suddenly stressed.
Sirius turned to Cygnus. "Do you mind joining me in the study and let the children enjoy themselves?" Mr. Greengrass agreed, although his eyes scanned Fleur for a moment, coming to the conclusion that she was no longer a child at all.
The youngsters sat at the kitchen table, where a grumpy house-elf gave them each a cold butterbeer and left some snacks on the table.
"You must tell me how you're suddenly married," Daphne said. She was speaking to Hermione, but was evidently interested in the whole story, as she noticed Harry sitting between the girls.
"It has already appeared in the newspapers, in a way. Haven't you read it?"
"We've been on vacation in India. It looks like this kind of news didn't make it there," Daphne replied.
"I think Harry should tell it," Hermione said and turned toward Harry. "You don't mind telling, dear. Do you?"
He smiled at her. "How can I ever refuse when you say it so nicely?"
He faced Daphne now. "Basically, it was Magic that got me married first with Fleur, as I didn't want her to be my slave due to a life-debt, and then Hermione, after she had a quarrel with her parents. Once I said I wanted them married to me – a bright flash appeared and we were married."
Daphne looked with awe at him. "I start thinking that the stories about you are not exaggerated. You really are a very powerful wizard."
Harry shrugged. "I don't feel very powerful. I'm just lucky, I guess, having these two gorgeous women as my life partners."
Daphne looked suddenly sad. "I'm not so lucky, though. Dad has encountered a severe business problem a few months ago and had to sign a marriage contract for me in order to get some money. If I don't find a way out of this, I'm going to be Mrs. Malfoy soon after graduation."
"Oh, that's awful!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Poor girl!" Fleur agreed.
"Can I help you out of this?" Harry asked.
"I don't know. You see, Dad tried something with Lord Black, first, only it wasn't approved. Still, you may be able to buy out that contract, if you really want to."
"What would that mean?"
"It means that I'll become your wife instead of Draco's."
Harry thought for a moment. "I don't want you to be forced to marry anybody, neither me nor Draco. Isn't there another way?"
Daphne smiled sadly. "Most of the pureblood girls have no say in whom they marry. It may turn out well, as is the case with my parents and I think that Draco's mother was also content in her marriage, but most are barely tolerable. I believe I'd be much happier at your side than under Malfoy."
Harry felt confused. "So, you want to marry me? Don't you fancy another boy?"
Daphne smiled now. "I don't fancy any boy. Nor a girl, for that matter. I do fancy one young man, though; one with unruly black hair and amazing green eyes, only he barely notices me. Yet I'd love to be his wife, when the time comes."
This got Harry by surprise. "But... how?... What..."
Daphne kept her smile, which Harry found dazzling. "I couldn't be close to you, me being in Slytherin while you were the Gryffindor Golden Boy. I could only look from a distance and admire what you did and how you acted. At first, all I knew was Snape's words, about you being an attention seeking brat. Then, as time passed, I started seeing the truth. When Hermione and I got seated together in Ancient Runes, I started finding out more about the kind of person you are, and seeing how you acted during the tournament made my appreciation grow. I really want to become your wife if you're willing to take me."
Harry looked at his wives. They both nodded. "Well, if you want it and it would save you from marrying Draco, then I'm also willing to make you my wife."
The kitchen was suddenly lighted by a bright flash. 'Oh, no! I did it again!' Harry thought, berating himself for not being more careful with his words. By the time he could see again, he noticed a third ring on his finger.
"What was that?" Daphne asked, a bit frightened.
"That was your wedding, Lady Potter-Black," Fleur answered, barely hiding her amusement.
"I'm married?!" There was a bit of panic in Daphne's voice.
"Look at your finger," Fleur suggested.
While Daphne looked at her hand, not believing her eyes, Hermione moved swiftly to her side and hugged her shoulders. "Welcome to the family, sister-wife. I thought Harry would need much longer persuasion," she said.
"What was that?" came the voice from the kitchen door. Sirius looked worried and Cygnus, at his side, had his wand ready in his hand. "Has anybody attacked you?"
Hermione lifted her head to answer. "It was nothing special, just Harry's magic finding another wife for him."
"A wife?" both men gasped.
Harry lowered his head in embarrassment. Daphne, once she absorbed the change in her status, stood up and moved to stand at Harry's side. "Dad, I want you to meet my new husband," she said proudly, nudging Harry to stand up.
Cygnus seemed to get weak in the knees. Sirius held him and helped him settle down on the nearest chair, grabbing another for himself. "Care to explain?" he asked the teens.
Harry was still too embarrassed to look in the face of anyone. Hermione answered, though. "It's just a normal day in the life of one, Harry James Potter. Always expect the unexpected when he's around."
Sirius started grinning, yet Mr. Greengrass still looked bewildered. Hermione continued. "Daphne was just telling us about her marriage contract with Malfoy. Harry asked how he could help free her. Eventually she said that she would like to marry him and he agreed. That was enough, so it seems." She was now grinning just like Sirius, hugging both Daphne and Harry.
There was a long moment of silence, as each tried to comprehend the recent events. Harry sat back down. Hermione pushed Daphne to sit on his knees before settling herself on the chair she was previously occupying. Fleur looked at it all with an amused smile.
"We suddenly saw as if the sun was lighting the stairs and the corridor," Sirius started telling. "I was afraid that was the outcome of some offensive magic. We've left you here with no protection." He seemed to be berating himself for negligence.
"I don't think we need you to protect us. After what Harry had faced before, he's quite capable of defending the three of us, and we are no slouches either," Hermione noted.
Cygnus looked at his daughter. "I've never thought you'll get married at such a young age. Besides, your mother will grill me, once she gets to know of this."
"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't want to cause any problem. I only wanted to assure Daphne of my intentions, not to force her into marriage."
"You didn't force me, Potter! I asked for it. You just agreed," Daphne protested.
"Thank you, dear, and I think you should call me Harry," he said with a reluctant smile.
Daphne blushed. "Of, course, Harry dear." Just hearing her own words caused her blush to intensify.
"I don't think any of you had bad intentions," Cygnus replied. "It's just so... sudden, so unexpected."
Sirius coughed to attract attention. "Wouldn't it be wise to invite your wife to join us?" he asked Mr. Greengrass.
"Yes, that may be a good idea. Let me use the floo for a moment."
While Cygnus was busy at the floo, Sirius looked at his godson. "I think you should be very cautious about what you say to other girls from now on, or you'll have three of the brightest witches alive chasing you."
Hermione responded first. "Harry should be cautious, but both Fleur and I agreed to this, or he wouldn't have said it. We didn't expect the immediate results, though, We thought we could have Harry for ourselves until graduation. We should have known better."
Daphne, from her perch on Harry's lap, agreed. "I didn't expect it to have immediate consequences either. I thought Harry would either buy the contract or negotiate another one and then wait until we graduated, maybe even longer... I can now see that at least some of the rumors were true."
"Which rumors?" Harry asked.
Daphne smiled. Harry thought she looked extremely beautiful when smiling happily. "They said you never stopped to think all the implication, that you just acted, especially when somebody needed saving." She blushed a bit before saying, "I've also heard that you were very handsome and considerate. It showed only partly in class, though."
"Are you joining the rest of the family at the Grangers?" Sirius asked. "I'm not sure if they have room enough."
"That's no problem, really," Hermione piped in, "and we only have to widen my bed a bit more."
Daphne turned completely red at that. "You... sleep together?"
"Of course! We're married. Don't your parents sleep in the same bed?"
"Oh... they... do. I mean... I didn't expect this to happen for a few more years." Daphne seemed overwhelmed. Fleur took pity on her.
"Let's go to some other room and I'll tell you all you need to know before you decide what to do." She let Daphne grab her hand and winked at Harry before leaving the kitchen.
Sirius laughed heartily. "Your father was still a virgin at the start of sixth year. He would have envied you right now."
Harry grimaced. "Too much information!"
"Not at all. I'm sure you've already sampled the pleasures of matrimony with your two wives and I'm sure that the third would not like to be left behind, and you're only fifteen!"
Both Harry and Hermione blushed, but didn't try to contradict Sirius. They just let him tell some more stories about the Marauders.
Fleur returned with a blushing Daphne a few minutes later, followed almost immediately by Cygnus. "I had to explain it several times and she cross-examined me to make sure it wasn't a new business scheme of mine. My wife was very unhappy with the marriage contract I had to agree to for Daphne. I still don't know how that will end, but I'm glad Daphne is no longer affected."
"I'm sure Astoria wouldn't mind stepping in that position. She has a soft spot for Draco, although I fail to see what she finds in him," Daphne commented. By now she was sitting at Harry's side with Hermione at the other. Fleur selected to sit by Daphne's other side for a while.
The floo flared a few minuted later, bringing Daphne's mother. It was immediately clear where Daphne inherited her looks from. The beautiful and elegant lady was presented by her husband. "Lord Potter, this is my wife, Rosalind, the love of my life. Rosie, this is Lord Harry Potter-Black, and his wives, Lady Hermione Potter and Mrs. Fleur Potter. Daphne is now his wife as well. What will her official name be?"
"She will be Lady Black, or Potter-Black. Enchanted to meet you, Lady Greengrass."
Rosie looked him over and smiled. "As good looking as his father and with his mother's eyes and heart – who could stand that combination?"
Harry felt his cheeks heat. Rosie continued. "I'm glad to meet you, Lord Potter, and I hope you'll give my girl the love she deserves."
"I'll do my best to make her happy, Ma'am, and please call me Harry."
Her smile widened. "All right, Harry, but then you must call me Rosie or Mum, whatever you like."
Harry was eager to hear a bit about his parents from this new person in his life, but they were soon interrupted by two owls. One brought the official greetings from the Ministry, acknowledging the marriage. The other was a letter from Gringotts, urging Lord and Lady Black to take possession of the Black Head-of-House vault. Sirius just smiled at Harry and shrugged, indicating that he had no knowledge of that specific vault or its contents.
"Will you join us at my parents'?" Hermione asked Daphne.
Daphne seemed undecided. "I believe you should spend your first night as a married woman with your husband, dear," Rosie told her. "I'll have one of the house-elves bring your stuff there."
Daphne blushed at the thought. "Yes, that's probably the right thing to do." She now turned to Hermione. "Don't you need to tell your parents? An unexpected visitor may cause some problems, I think."
Hermione smiled. "You're family now, not a visitor, but I think I'll let them know before we go there." She took her mobile phone out of her bag. This caused all adults to cry, "Don't!" as Sirius added, "It may fry out in magical environment."
This only made Hermione laugh. "A simple shield charm is all that's needed to protect the electronic devices. Anything that the shield can stop will not harm the electronics."
She proceeded by calling her parents from within Grimmauld Place. Harry wasn't surprised that it worked perfectly, but most other were.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
The Grangers accepted Daphne, looking a bit confused. They were glad that Hermione didn't seem to lose any of her happiness due to the additional wife her husband was taking, but this didn't help much with their worries.
Daphne had no time to notice their sentiments. The muggle house was something new and exciting all by itself, having electric lighting and appliances, Radio, TV, telephone and so many other things that were foreign to her. She felt as if she was a small child again, needing to learn all the basic stuff.
"I'll help you," Hermione promised. She took her on a quick tour of the house, showing her the light switches and how to operate the shower and the restroom. "It may take a few days before you feel comfortable with everything," she told Daphne, "but we shall all help you. Now, do you want to be only with Harry for the whole night? I liked it that way."
Daphne blushed again. "Did it... hurt?"
Hermione smiled reassuringly. "The first time was marvelous. I did feel a bit of pain momentarily, just like a pin prick, but the rest was better than words can tell. We then did it again several times, and each was better than the previous one, until we were too exhausted to continue."
Daphne blushed deeper red. "You think I will like it?"
"I'm sure you will. I only hope Harry would give me my share in the morning."
Daphne was still tomato-red. "Do you really sleep naked, all three of you?"
"I believe it will be all four of us. Don't you find it exciting?"
"I'm not sure. I've never slept naked."
"Try it. You'll love it!" Hermione smiled at Daphne again. "Now, think of something else, before your knickers get too wet."
"How do you know?"
"Been there, done that..."
Daphne was only slightly red when they rejoined the rest of the family. Hermione made sure that Daphne would sit next to Harry during dinner. She noticed the furtive glances Daphne was sending to Harry's crotch, probably wondering what would happen next.
By mutual agreement, Hermione joined Fleur in the guest room, leaving her original bedroom for Harry and Daphne. They had already made the connection between the rooms and conjured a door there, so they could join Harry in the middle of the night, if that was asked for.
Daphne proved to be more daring than expected. She was already naked in bed when Harry came. She was also highly aroused already, by all the talk and then by her own imagination running wild. Daphne wasn't disappointed. Harry first admired her nude body, caressed her and hugged her, letting Daphne feel really loved, before he even came near her entrance. By the time she fell asleep, all she could think was, 'How lucky I am to have this man as my husband, so that he can give me many more marvelous experiences like this.'