With the next day a Saturday, their first back in the castle, the two teens had breakfast in their apartment. Hermione, as promised, was wearing wizardingwear casual.
After breakfast they immediately set to work to get all the rest of their assignments for the week out of the way and had them done well before lunch.
Finally, they exited the rooms into the public part of the castle, not that long before they needed to get to the Great Hall if they wanted to have lunch there. They did.
She asked, "Feels better not having assignments to do when you're goofing off, doesn't it?"
"I know," he replied.
"What now?" she asked.
"How about, lunch; then, if it's what you want to do, we visit the Gryffindor common room," he suggested.
"Why do you want to go to the Gryffindor common room?" she asked.
"I don't, really," he replied. "I thought you might want to."
She gave a little huff of amusement and replied, "I don't."
"Fair enough," he said. "Then, I guess we'll figure out something to do during lunch."
As they walked, it was about three minutes later when Hermione asked, "Heard back from Ted, yet, about the... CBA?"
"No," he replied. "It's only been half a day, Hermione. Give the man some time."
"You still think this is going to happen pretty quickly, though?"
He gave a firm nod and replied, "I do. Nothing has changed my belief Samuel Greengrass wants this done fast."
"Then how about, after lunch, we go back to the apartment. Just the two of us," she suggested. "There's something private I need to talk to you about."
"We can do that," he agreed.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Lunch was normal for a Saturday. Due to no classes - and, therefore, no class timetables - people came and went as they felt like it. Their only limitation was lunch did not start until 12noon and ended at 1.30pm. You could stay longer or arrive earlier, but no food appeared until noon and all food was removed at 1.30pm sharp.
Harry and Hermione walked in at 12.30pm. That meant they arrived after the 'ravenous' ones ran in and who also probably skipped breakfast, but still had plenty of time before the stragglers realised they were going to miss out if they didn't get a wriggle-on and tried to bolt their food down.
Neville joined them about ten minutes later and, on seeing them, broke into a wide grin and lead his two girls over.
Hermione gestured for them all to sit.
When the two girls looked uncomfortable with that, Harry said, "The only time you are restricted to your House tables for meals is; the welcoming feast, the breakfast where class schedules are distributed, any special feast that arises and the leaving feast. That's it. You are allowed and, according to the rules, even encouraged to sit at other tables at all other times."
Both and Neville, looked back in shock.
"Really?" squeaked Susan.
"Really," he wryly returned.
Hermione reached for her satchel and realised it wasn't there. Then sighed. Meanwhile, Neville and the two girls sat opposite with Neville in the middle.
Harry noticed Hermione had reached for her satchel and said, "Look it up when we get back to the apartment, Love."
She nodded, "I will."
Neville, sensing the break in the conversation quietly said, "I have news. Harry, can you put up that privacy charm you do?"
Harry gave a nod, looked to see how far away the nearest people to them were, gave a second nod and cast the charm.
"There," he declared. "Only those who come right in close will be able to hear anything other than an annoying buzz."
"Thank you," said Neville. Grinning to the two girls, who were almost bouncing on the bench either side of him, he said, "Dad sent me an owl, this morning―"
Susan cut in, "And Auntie Ami and Mister Abbott sent us owls, too!" Which had Hannah happily nodding as well.
"Good news?" smirked Harry.
"The best!" grinned Neville, though he looked a little nervous. "He, Madam Bones and Mister Abbott are coming to the school tomorrow, after lunch. We're to meet with them in the Headmistress's office at 1.30pm. They'll be signing the agreements there and Lady Marchbanks will be witness."
"That is the best news!" laughed Harry. "Nev, that's fantastic! I'm so happy for you; for all three of you, actually."
"Me too!" squealed Hermione. Unable to contain herself any more, she popped up, ran around the table and, as the girls were rising, dragged them both into a Hermi-Hug.
Once the two were clear of the bench, they all hugged each other and jumped around in joy.
While the girls were otherwise occupied, Harry said to Neville, "While you're there, mate; don't forget to ask the Headmistress for permission to move into the Lords' Quarters with the girls. Trust me."
Neville firmed up, gave a nod back and said, "I will."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After signalling to Daphne and Tracey, who were sitting at the Slytherin table watching and clearly understanding what was happening, the five went out to the antechamber they'd used previously.
A couple of minutes later, both Slytherins came out of the Great Hall and hurried over, slipping in through the door.
Both Hannah and Susan turned to them, squealed in happiness and launched themselves at both girls.
"Yes?" asked Tracey.
"Yes!" both girls replied, before Hannah added, "Tomorrow!"
That had all four now happy.
Daphne managed to separate and walked over to where Neville was standing a little apart with Harry and Hermione.
Without a word, she laid a big hug on him; behaviour, Harry never expected of her.
Once she'd hugged Neville, Harry asked her, "Mind stepping over here for a moment?" And moved a little further away.
She gave a nod and joined him apart from everyone else.
"I have contacted my Law-wizard of Record, Ted Tonks of the House of Black, to inform him of my decision to approach your father seeking a Concubine Bond Agreement between you and me," he told her. "I also sent an urgent message to your father, at the same time, letting him know we had an agreement-in-principle and that Ted would be in contact with him.
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