Sirius who had morphed into his self a minute earlier spoke up. "You can trust her Harry if you want to tell her. She is my cousin."
"Tonks, I would like you to meet Hermione Granger, Gabrielle Delacour and Fleur Delacour, all are my betrothed," Harry said and enjoyed the sputtering that Tonks did.
"Okay I deserved the joke," Tonks finally admitted as she calmed down.
"He's not joking," Hermione said.
"We are all to be his wives."
"While Tonks is working that out, why don't you follow me to see Bathilda," Remus said and they walked past Tonks who had a questioning look on her face.
As Sirius walked past he whispered. "On Black honor it's true. Those three young women are all engaged to him. In fact what you saw in the graveyard was him proposing," That only made Tonks stare at the teens walking away even harder as her mouth continued to try to speak but no words came out. "They all said yes as well," Sirius said as he walked after his godson.
"So which of you is Miss Granger again?" The stooped old lady with only a few shafts of silvery hair on her head and eyes thick with cataracts asked as Remus introduced the bondmates to the ancient Magical Historian.
"That would be me Ma'am," Hermione answered nervously. "I'm very glad to meet you."
"Yes, Albus said you were the brightest student he'd seen in many years," Bathilda said. "That you're even able to find Cuthbert interesting."
"Cuthbert?" Hermione questioned.
"To you he would be Professor Binns," The ancient witch replied with what might have been a smile lost in the wrinkles. "It does an old witch like myself good to know that her work is appreciated. So many students today don't understand the importance of history."
"We usually find our futures written in the pages of History," Hermione said quoting a line from Bagshot's own book.
Bathilda moved her head in a slight nod. "Reminds me of Dumbledore when he was your age."
"You knew Dumbledore when he was my age?" Hermione asked.
"Of course. His family lived nearby," Bathilda said with a slight wave her hand to indicate a direction. "Tragic what happened to his mother and sister."
The wording on a tombstone came to Harry's mind. "Dumbledore, and a mother and daughter," But he decided it wasn't the time to ask questions.
The old witch was peering through her cataracts as she studied the young witch that Dumbledore had spoken so highly of. She finally rose from her chair and walked slowly over to an old cabinet. She opened it and reached inside and pulled out a large book. she turned and slowly walked back until she was standing in front of Hermione.
"Take this dear," She said as she handed the book to the young witch. "It's the very first copy of the History of Magic ever printed. I was quite proud of it."
Hermione's eyes widened as she looked at the book in reverence. Almost afraid to breath on it. "I..I can't. It's too valuable."
"Which is why I want you to have it," Bathilda explained. "I know I'm not long for this world. I can no longer read it and I feel you will treasure it for what it stands for and not for what it's worth."
Hermione looked at the Historian and Authoress and nodded. "Thank you," She finally squeaked out. "I'll treasure it always."
"That's all I can ask."
They spent lunch with the Historian who regaled them of tales from history that were never put down in her book. Then she told Harry of her friendship with his parents. Finally Remus pointed out that it was two and they needed to get a move on. After paying their respects to Bathilda they prepared to leave.
"I just wished my nephew Gellert had believed in history," She said with a sigh. "Take care and if you ever wish to spend time with an old woman, I'd always enjoy your company."
Remus guided them to the fireplace and showed them the floo power. A few minutes later they were all standing in a very large Atrium.
....
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