Marriage and Inheritance – by; Billybob

Summary: Alternate Universe story with Out of Cannon Romantic Pairings, with two notable exceptions …RBW/HJG and HJP/GMW – all other relationships as outlined in the Epilog in book seven are hereby Null and Void. This tale is centered on the JKR discarded premise of 'inner-house unity' and the strange notion that - not all - Slytherin's are evil Death Eater …wannabe's.

Premise of this story: has anyone ever wondered what happens to a Hogwarts student who doesn't get enough OWLS to go on the NEWTS level? Not everyone goes on to University you know. Potions was a requirement to become a Auror, and neither Ron or Harry made the cut under Snape, a new potion professor had to be brought in during HBP to get around this fact. Even then Harry and Ron didn't return seventh year, didn't sit the NEWTS exams and yet still ended up Aurors in the Epilog. Doesn't that strike you as …odd?

This story begins: in Gringotts Bank on the day of the reading of the last will and testament of Sirius Black
Rating: M …with no explicit content, sex in this story is implied not graphic, mostly done through innuendo
Categories: I repeat …this is an Alternate Universe tale where H.B.P. and D.H. for the most part …never took place
Originally Published at SIYE on: 2004.04.08
Updated, rewritten and published on : 11-08-08

Traditional Disclaimer:

I'm not the author of the Happy Potter books, and the only profit I seek is the amusement of my few internet readers. JKR owns everything else.

This and That

This story started out …as a companion piece - stand alone - to my story: The Ambush Harry Conspiracy …which was published so long ago …I think it first came out in Latin. This tale can still be found in crumbling from age parchment form …archived at the Sink Into Your Eyes Harry Potter website.

Remember, it is not required that you read Ambush before this tale, but honestly it wouldn't hurt. For I am about to take my readers down a different path than the one traveled by JKR

there are 140000 Words so-far in this tale ... Rated: R or M just to be safe.

Again …The Category is: AU alternate universe … The HP Characters herein will appear to be somewhat Out Of Cannon because I will be taking them down a different path than JKR took her readers in book six and seven.

However, for the sake of those fixated on the world outlined in the Harry Potter books now in print. I begin my story with a somewhat …plausible explanation, for the difference between the world JKR created and my own AU alternative.

Finally: no beta readers were harmed in the re-doing of this tale.

'Roll film …'

Prequel:

late afternoon; June 3, 1997

"Albus, where are you?" Minerva McGonagall asked as she entered the Headmaster's office.

"Back here Min," Came the reply.

"Albus, you shouldn't be messing with that silly mirror, you should be resting. I've told Mr. Potter as you requested, to meet you here right after the evening meal, and I believe…"

"…Come in and join me Minerva," Headmaster Dumbledore said in tried tone, "spend a little time reflecting on the choices you've made, see how things would have been had you made different decisions and gone down a different life path than the one you're on now."

"Honestly Albus, I never understood your fascination with the Mirror of Alternatives, what possible use is there in watching our dopenhangers living their separate lives in an alternate universe. The last time you invited me down here, we watched Harry Potter become gay, Ginny Weasley becoming romantically involved with Draco Malfoy while her brother was dating Miss Parkinson.

"Not only would Molly have a stroke when she learned of her only daughter having a sexual fling with a Malfoy, but can you imagine the Parkinson's reaction to Ronald courting Pansy?"

"That one …was a bit far fetched - I grant you that, but this one is much better," Albus said with an amused chuckle.

"What good does all this do Albus; I thought you were researching a cure for your hand …"

"…There is no cure," Dumbledore said abruptly interrupting his assistant Headmaster, "no way to undo my own foolishness. My time has all but run out, it seems, - but, before I go on to the next great adventure, I have to fill Harry in on all I have learned about Tom Riddle. If I don't return from my off-campus trip with Harry tonight, you'll find an envelope on my desk containing my last will and testament and detailed instructions for you and the Order."

"Albus, I don't know what to say,"

"Don't say anything old friend, I've had a full life filled with my fair share of mistakes and regrets. I think, in acknowledging the errors we humans make is why I've come to enjoy the Mirror of Alternatives, not only does it entertains but it also gives me perspective on all the second guessing that we humans put ourselves through every time we make a blunder. I have watched my alter ego's make different life choices, making different mistakes while taking a different fork in the road of life than I did in this one.

"So come …my dear friend and watch with me a universe where I never put on that accursed ring, watch how some of the children we taught make their own mistakes, and deal with their errors. Your just in time for the good part, he is about to go to Gringotts for the reading of the last Will and testament of an old friend of ours Sirius Black

"Who's he - - Harry didn't go to the reading?"

"I won't ruin it for you, sit – have some Muggle popped-corn and enjoy the show"

Professor McGonagall sat down, grabbed a handful of popcorn and stared into the large and cinema wide-screen shaped mirror, after a moment an image appeared.

Chapter ONE – London …late July 1996

Entry log: (security record) …of comings and goings ... transcript copy.

At approximately Ten thirty-nine in the morning on July 28th. A large group of magical folk entered Gringotts Bank for the purpose of hearing the last will and testament of the late Sirius Black, among those in attendance where Arthur and Molly Weasley their son Ronald and daughter Ginerva along with them was Miss Hermione Jane Granger and Mr. H. J. Potter. Also in this group was; Albus Dumbledore headmaster of Hogwarts school, a Mr. Remus J. Lupin and a Miss Nymphadora Tonks and her parents Ted and Andromeda Tonks. These humans after clearing security were permitted to proceed with their business in the bank proper.

End log entry: indorsed by Griphook, chief goblin in charge of security

"Dad, since when do you have to go through a security checkpoint to get into Gringott's," Ron asked his father with obvious surprise.

"Since the return of You-know-who and his Death-eaters," Arthur Weasley replied. "The general public demanded it. The revolt of the Dementor guard at Azkaban prison has everyone on edge. There is growing pressure on Fudge to resign as Minister, especially when it was revealed that his "associate" Umbridge was the one who ordered the Dementor attack on Harry in Surrey last summer. Fudge claims to have had no prior knowledge of the attack and Umbridge insists she acted on her own, but after going to so much trouble to deny that You-know-who had return only to have the proof of it show up in front of everyone on the night of the Battle of the Ministry. No one believes anything the Minister says anymore."

The Goblin bank, which was always a busy place even on a slow day, was packed to overflowing this particular afternoon. Most of the customers were hurrying about in dress robes, the majority of them consisted of groups composing three people each, a set of parents dragging a single teenage girl behind them, ninety percent of which were of Ginny's age. Hermione always the observant one, was just about to point this out to her new boyfriend Ron, whose hand she held unconsciously …as freshly made lovers often do. When two blond people approached the group dressed in expensive jet-black dress robes in the height of current fashion.

Hermione knew who they where of course, the tall-slim blonde woman who carried herself with the dignity of an empress was none other than Dame Narcissa Malfoy, the Grande mistress of the two hundred year old Malfoy Manor, one of the 500 richest pure blood families in the magical world. The short, lean …sixteen-year-old boy walking beside her was Harry's Hogwarts rival and blood feud enemy Draco. But instead of the usual superior smirk that normally graced his face whenever they had run into each other before. Hermione was quick to notice that Harry's enemy for once didn't look at all happy, in fact the blonde Slytherin was furious about something, seething in only barely controlled rage. He glared with unconcealed hate at Harry who returned the glare look for look.

"Good mourning Arthur ... Molly" Narcissa said in surprise. "I didn't expect to see you here today of all days, after all you never did approve of Dowry-Day!"

"Oh, that's today …is it," Molly said stepping up to Narcissa like two boxers squaring off in the ring before the fight begins. Mrs. Weasley's dislike for the Malfoy woman was also as plain as the look on her face as she declared: "No, Lady Malfoy we wouldn't know about the date of such a barbaric custom. To think that in these modern times, fourteen-year-old pure blood girls are still bought and sold into arranged marriages. The poor girls having no say at all, about whom she is to spend the rest of her life with. It's disgusting I say …a stupid law that should have been repealed two hundred years ago."

"Perhaps so, but as you say, it is still, our law" Narcissa said with an evil grin.

"So Draco, does this mean your mum has bought you a wife" Ron said with a chuckle and seeing Draco face turn beet red, Ron knew he had hit the mark in one. "What's the matter Malfoy, don't you approve of you purchased bride? ... You afraid she won't fancy you? ... Come to think on it, buying some unwilling girl is probably the only way you'd get a wife" Ron said with a laugh.

"Well at least he will not be watering down a proud bloodline with a Mud!" Narcissa said coming to her only child's defense, referring of course to Hermione.

Ron face instantly changed color with anger, his hands balling into fists, the same thing that happened every time over the last four years, whenever anyone dared to insult the brown haired, (somewhat attractive and extremely intelligent) Hermione Jane Granger.

The one and only girl in the entire world that Ronald Bilius Weasley (*all but literally*) worshiped the ground that she walked on. The red-haired Gryffindor Quidditch team goal tender was in the act of reaching for his wand to hex the white-blood cow. Because Ron didn't care how much trouble he got into for attacking the great Lady Malfoy in public. The *itch had insulted his ladylove, and he was going to see her pay for it right then and there. Ron would have hexed her right then and there, had Narcissa Malfoy next comment hadn't turned out to be so stunning:

"Just make sure your daughter is at Malfoy Manor at nine in the morning on August first Arthur, so she can begin her training as a consort to my son," Narcissa said in a voice of triumph. This comment made Draco flinch as if in pain, clearly he was no happier about the concept of Ginny becoming a Malfoy then any of the Weasley's were.

"What are you saying Narcissa?" Molly said surprised and angry.

"I am sorry, I had heard that you were a least somewhat …intelligent Molly, but perhaps I was misinformed... must I spell it out for you?" The evil looking blonde declared with clear contempt. "After discussing the prospective spouse situation with my husband, who is in prison …partially due to the actions of two of the Weasley brood, Lucius felt that his best chance for leniency from the court during his upcoming trail would be if you spoke on his behalf Arthur," Narcissa said coldly.

"What better way to bring that about while at the same silencing at least one witness against him then through a Dowry-day arranged marriage between the pure blood households' of Malfoy and Weasley."

"You cannot be serious!" Molly said trying hard to hold her temper.

"But I am Molly" Narcissa said looking smug "On the instructions of the Lord of Malfoy manor, my husband Lucius, I placed an unsupported promissory-note paper bid for your daughter with the hall of records a month ago. I saw no need to place a gold bid... which for your information Molly, is a bride price bid support by a deposit of gold gallons in a special Dowry-day escrow account here at the bank."

"After all, having seen your all but outright ugly, flat chested, stick-figure of a child …at the world cup, and seeing the dirty faced, plain featured, barely recognizable as female thing standing before me now. It is easy to understand my conclusion that your only daughter Molly, is no more likely to attract the marital interest a real man now than she did at the world match. Her very lack of looks alone made me confidant that my bid for your unattractive tomboy daughter would be the only bid made," Narcissa said in a clearly insulting tone.

"Especially …seeing that according to our law," Mrs. Malfoy said with venom. "The girl's family may not bid on their own child, to prevent the enforcement of the "Pure-blood marriage act of 1655". Not that you would ever have the gold to outbid a Malfoy anyway!" Narcissa said with a cruel chuckle, making a crack at the well-known Weasley poverty.

"I'll make a bid for her myself!" Harry said while taking a gentle hold of a heartbroken and openly sobbing Ginny's hand.

"Half-bloods like you don't qualify Potter, that's why it's called the Pure-blood Act!" Narcissa spat with pure venom. "Besides, the cut off date for bids even by pureblood families was ten days ago. Today is Dowry Day; it is the moment when the final postings normally take place. As of August first, Ginevra Molly Weasley will officially become a part of the Malfoy Household and Draco's official Dowry-day bride." The blonde woman laughed almost hysterically

"But she isn't of age ... she is only fourteen and too young to get married!" Harry protested.

"That is true …now and if the act hadn't been amended in1905 the qualification age for brides would have remained twelve …which was the way the act was originally written and not the fourteen as it is today. She had two more years at home with her poor as dirt family learning to become a Muggle lover". Narcissa declared with distain, "but never fear, I'm sure this foolishness can be beaten out of her in time. As for the legally of age to marry, that part of current magical Law, wherein a witch or wizard must be at least seventeen years of age …is made all but a mute point by the grandfather clause of the Pure-blood Act of 1655.

Ginerva will be officially married to my son Draco as of today, but he will have to wait twenty-four months and fourteen days before he can consummate his marriage to his red headed breeder. Forcefully if need be!" Again Draco could be seen cringing at the prospect of sharing his bed with a Weasley.

"As for an engagement and a wedding," Narcissa continued with an evil-wicked smile. "Neither is necessary or required by the law, so you will understand if we don't waste good money on such things. Nor will your only female offspring be returning to Hogwarts, Molly, there is no need to waste the galleons on her education; she knows enough now to fulfill …her duties as a breeder. If she behaves herself, from her loins will come forth the sons and daughters that will carry on the proud & noble name of Malfoy?"

"This is outrageous" Arthur said in anger

"But no less true …so …Arthur, with my son Draco soon to become your son in law and the father of perhaps your only grandchildren — for it appears to me that your other sons are either sterile or …bum bandit …Fags. Perhaps now that your little girl is a Malfoy…you'll reconsider speaking on the behalf of my imprisoned husband. Especially if you don't want to see your precious child suffers for the rest of her life, treated no better than a disloyal house elf, like the one this Potter boy stole from us." She laughed a vicious laugh.

"You there," the Lady Malfoy abruptly screamed at a passing clerk. "Why haven't I received official notice of my bride price bid acceptance? I have been waiting for an hour."

"The answer to that question is simple Lady Malfoy. The law does not require the Ministry of Magic's dowry department to inform you."

"Poppycock," Dame Malfoy said "I can see the Weasley name …plain as day on the Dowry-day board on the far wall. I can see the words (bid accepted) next to her name. So why wasn't I informed about it, so I could fill out the final paperwork and go home!" She said talking down to the clerk as if he was scum under her feet.

"Forgive me Madame …I miss-spoke, but the law does not require the losing bidder to be informed unless that bidder has put up a gold gallons deposit in escrow in the failed attempt to win the bidding. Such gold has to be returned the unsuccessful bidder before the end of business on Dowry-day. As your bid was only an (unsupported by gold) promissory note, no actual gold was involved, therefore there was no need to inform you," the clerk declared.

"Unsuccessful Bidder" Lady Malfoy screamed at the top of her lungs making everyone around her turn and stare in her direction "What do you mean ... Unsuccessful?"

"Lady Malfoy, had you bothered reading any of the owl-post messages I sent to Malfoy Manor during the last two weeks you would have learned. There was another bidder who had put up gold, had you also read any one of my notes, you would have known. That if you did not act to match the other bid …gallon for gallon, in gold …properly deposited before the close of bidding ten days ago, you would lose the bride of your choice." The clerk said in a calm bureaucratic fashion, his conscious clear.

"This is an outrage," Narcissa said, "I will appeal this right up to the Minister himself."

"You are welcome to try Lady Malfoy, but I think you will find that your family's influence with Minister Cornelius Fudge has lessened quite a bit, especially after your husband's arrest for his part in the Battle of the Ministry. By that I mean …caught in the act, as a Death-eater." The clerk said bowing in a clearly mocking manner to the Lady Malfoy who reacted to the clerks comment as if he had slapped her face. Tossing her chin upward arrogantly and spinning around head high with her much-relieved son in tow. The two remaining (*out of jail*) members of the Malfoy family stormed out of the Bank.

"Excuse me sir," Molly said addressing the same clerk in a far more respectful tone. "But who do we speak to concerning our daughter, Miss Ginevra Molly Weasley? I mean how do we find out who did win the bidding for her?"

"I am sorry Madam," and this time the clerk clearly meant it. "But I don't handle that end of the alphabet, Percival does!" He looked around the room spotting someone and raising his hand. "Hey Percy, come over here a sec, will ya?" Everyone tensed, (*no it couldn't be*) they all thought to themselves. But sure enough making his way through the crowd, red hair and all, was none other than Percy Weasley himself. His hands full of legal-size yellow file folders. The look on his face changed to neutral when he saw to whom his co-worker was standing next to and to his credit he didn't turn away like a coward, instead he squared his shoulders and braced himself for the row that was to come.

Before the clerk had a chance to introduce him properly Percy said "Hello mother ... father, how good to see you again (*not meaning a word of it*)"

"Percy how could you ... your only sister ...put on the auction block like a piece of meat ... Sold to strangers, and you ... you..." Molly said with tears of betrayal running down her cheeks. "You didn't even have the decency, ...to let us know, ...to give us a chance to prepare ourselves," Molly could say no more as she turned to Arthur and began to openly weep on the front of his robes. Percy looked at his father and saw the unbridled disgust on his face.

"If you were aware of the law as all good citizens are supposed to be. You would have known that Miss Weasley," Percy said in pure autocratic mood - deliberately avoided using Ginny's first name, as if he was speaking to a foreigner, "as a pure blood witch …became eligible for Dowry-day selection, as soon as she began to ovulate or the age of fourteen …whichever comes first. The names of all ovulating females of unblemished bloodlines are then posted on the Dowry Day Board here at the bank for the public to examine for the 12 months prior to final selection date …today. Any name that goes for an entire year without a bid are free to marry whoever the girls father arranges her to marry.

"We know the law …Percival" Molly declared with scorn.

"You're not going to try to tell me that you have not been in this bank in the last year, are you …father?" Percy said, ignoring his mother's comment.

"I never look at that stupid board when I come in here!" Arthur shouted furiously

"Ignorance is no excuse under the Law Sir. Furthermore the ministry is not required under the act to inform any family of the presence or removal of their daughter's name on the board. So it really doesn't matter if I told you before hand, which by ministry rules, I am not allowed to do. What ever you may think of my actions personally, I must remind you that the law, remains the law," Percy said having always been one who strictly followed the rules.

Everyone was too choked up to speak …so it fell to Dumbledore who in an angry voice asked. "Do you precious rules allow you now, to let your OWN PARENTS know, to whom YOUR only SISTER has been sold into bondage?" said the Headmaster, as clearly disappointed in the former head-boy of Hogwarts as Arthur and Molly were. Ron was far less subtle that his parent, for there was an expression of pure hate on his face that startled Percy when he saw it. An expression of dislike that was almost matched in intensity by looks on the faces of Harry, Remus, Hermione and all three Tonks.

"Yes sir," Percy said, having clearly underestimated the reaction of everyone to the simple following of Wizarding Law. He looked though the files for a moment until he finally found his sister's folder. "The bidder's name was kept anonymous by request, with the name of the groom, your husband now Miss Weasley is sealed in this envelope. Regulations do not permit me to know the contents, only the High Dowry Selection Committee does." Percy said handing over the plain, sealed envelope with Ginny's name spelled out in pencil on the front.

Arthur took the envelope out of his son's hand with the same obvious dread, as if he was holding his own death sentence. His baby girl's future, which he had always hoped would someday include Harry, was in that envelope. He stared at it for a moment before he opened the envelope pulled out the official form contents and began to read, his eyes going wide as he read the name on the bottom of the page. He stood there for a moment, still staring hard at the bottom line, when the overlooked and disgraced Percy quietly walked away from his estranged family, unnoticed by any of the others. Percy was completely out of the room and beyond earshot when Arthur Charles Weasley turned to his only daughter and in a voice thick with emotion said:

"Ginny, I want you to turn and face ... Harry." The head of the Weasley clan said with tears pouring down his cheeks. "And I want you to say goodbye forever . . . to Harry as your boyfriend," everyone in the group was crying now and it was at this point when all of a sudden Arthur face broke in a gigantic grin as he said "And say hello to your Dowry-day husband . . . Mrs. Ginevra Molly Potter."

Everyone still in the bank couldn't help but wonder what that group over by the front door was so excited about …yelling, screaming and jumping up and down like a bunch of nutters Muggle's. Even Dumbledore himself was dancing around like a school boy when the goblin approached him, tugged on his robes and said "excuse me, but a Mr. Quartermain would like to see everyone here for the reading of the will of Sirius Black in conference room seven on sub level eleven."

Beaming from joy and smiling from ear to ear, Ginny Weasley-Potter floated down the hallway as if on fluffy clouds, as she was shown the way ever deeper in the bowels of Gringotts Bank. For Ginny a long-held dream had finally come true, she was now and forever the wife of the boy who lived. She didn't care to think about how it had happened; she'd do that later, when or if, her feet ever again made contact with the ground.

She walked down the half-lit passageway the happiest girl on the planet. Completely unaware that her lawfully wedded spouse Harry, whose hand she held so tightly, was anything but happy. His displeasure was like a pressure cooker …slowly building up to the explosion that took place just inside the conference room.

"Bloody-hell, I just won't have it, this is too bloody much!" Harry shouted making everyone around him stopped their reveries and stare at him.

"What's wrong Harry?" Dumbledore asked curiously.

"What's wrong you say? …What's right? …No, I refuse. Here I draw a line!"

"Harry, calm yourself," Ginny said her voice filled with concern.

"Ginny, are you mental, how can you be so calm? Don't you realize? You belong to me ...I, Harry James Potter. LITERALLY OWN YOU! Someone bought you for me, paid for you, as if you were some kind of piece of furniture, or nothing more than a breeding cow.

"Well I tell you here and now, I simply won't have it! No way in bloody hell will I, can I ever. ...There isn't enough gold in the whole bloody world ...I think I'm falling in love with you Ginny Weasley …I freely admit that and I don't care a dragon's tail if the whole world knows it! ... But damnit …I can't …I refuse! ... I could never ever hope to buy, someone as wonderful, as sweet, and as beautiful as you!"

"Harry …calm-down Luv, you're not making sense" Ginny said taking hold of him, deeply touched by his confession, staring into his eyes calming him. "Would you prefer me to be in the Malfoy household in three days time learning how to be Draco's bride? ... No of course you don't. I also know what you're thinking; you're all worried that we are way too young for this, and in that …you're spot-on …we are. I won't be fifteen for another fortnight and you are yourself just barely sixteen. I have had just one boyfriend before you …and,"

"Well …you know, neither of us expected this okay, but considering who I might have ended up with, I am not about to complain about what the fates have done to us. I've been cheated out of a proper proposal …a respectable engagement and a beautiful wedding with all that goes with it, and in that respect …I do feel a little cheated. But I have figured out a way you can make it up to me!"

"Anything Ginny" Harry said in frantic desperation, meaning every word.

"Alright then …get down on your knees and ask me proper!" Ginny said with her best imitation (don't mess with me) pretended angry look on her face

"Here, you mean …right now?" Harry said, "A bank wasn't really where I had in mind, to pop this particular question…"

"Do you want to marry me or not, Harry James Potter?" Ginny said with mock indignantly.

This made Harry think. (Well do I?) He was just three days away from his sixteenth birthday and his entire romantic experience to this point had been a bit of hormonal longing for Cho Chang. A moment in time felt like an entirety as he weighted the pro and cons. Then he had another major epiphany, as several pieces of the puzzle, which was his life, fell into place. And smiling from ear to ear, Harry in front of all of his friends and people that he considered family, the boy who lived gently went down to one knee and said:

"Miss Ginerva Molly Weasley will you consent to become my wife the moment you come of age, in approximately twenty-four months and fourteen days from now, sometime after August 11 1998. Postponing our actual honeymoon and the marital privileges associated with it until after, you graduate from Hogwarts, one year later. Vowing to set aside all that happened here today as much as humanly possible while swearing everyone to keep our marital status secret, granting to me no more privileges that an emotionally committed-boyfriend, until you think me worthy of more?"

The playfulness abruptly vanished from Ginny's face when she beheld how deeply serious Harry was about this. Even if it meant for him personally, in the middle of a major magical war, facing death every single day, almost two and a half years of self-imposed celibacy …'oh sweet God ... I love this man' Ginny thought to herself.

"How could any maiden refuse such an offer, Harry James Potter, however, it is only fair to remind you …my beloved," Ginny said grinning from ear to ear. "That under the eyes of the law we were at least somewhat …married today.

"There aren't words enough to describe how proud I am of your intension to do right by me, by having a wedding at all, as well as waiting the entire two years before starting a family. Your gallantry only makes me desire you all the more as a life-mate, you sweet-hearted irreversibly …honorable …Git!"

"Can I take that as a yes" Harry asked smiling up at his bride

"Of course the answer is Yes …you Prat …on the other hand, I also think it is also …only fair, to warn you that I am not the type of bird that fancies a two year wait for the good stuff. You must be mental if you think I going to wait …three ruddy years, before I can fully enjoy all the rights and privileges of being your wife." Ginny said, just as seriously as her now stunned beyond belief boyfriend – and now dowry-day husband, who was no less shocked than her brother Ron who no longer recognized his own sister.

"On August 11, 1998, (24 months 14 days from now) I become of age in the magical world and seventeen is also …I'm happy to point out the legal age of sexual consent," Ginny said with a shocking look of unbridled lust, plain as day on her face. "On that day me-boyo ...you become fair game *'and a lot sooner than that If I can manage it,'* she thought to herself. On that day I fully intend claim ALL of my marital rights, which means dear husband, that you and I will consummate what happened this morning according to the traditions connected with Dowry-day."

Poor Harry was blushing bright red with Hermione in a matching shade. Ron was taking the embarrassing situation the best of the trio, having finally made his feelings known for a certain bookworm, his tolerance for his sister hooking up with Harry had diminished to next to nothing.

"The wedding after I graduate is fine Harry, even though you're not required by law to give me one." Ginny said with tears of joy pouring down the sides of her face "But understand this my love, there is simply no bloody way I intend to remain untouched, by my own husband for 25 months." She said as she threw her arms around Harry's neck and kissing him passionately on the mouth.

"Well, Well I must say. I have seen a lot of strange things at the reading of a Will but this certainly rates as one of the most unusual," a voice said speaking up for the first time from the other end of the conference room. Where an elderly grey-haired wizard sat a long table surrounded by legal parchments.

"Is it right for me to assume that you two young people just became Dowry-day engaged?" The grey-haired one said with a smile.

"Yes," replied Molly "They just found out upstairs."

"Do I also understand that you would like the lady to feel free to make her own choice?"

"Yes sir, I most certainly do!" Harry said determinedly.

"Well then, ask the bidder to surrender the bid."

"What do you mean?"

"It's a little used clause in the law, which permits the bride-price contract to become null and void upon the mutual agreement of all parties involved. The only drawback is the bidder doesn't get his deposit galleons back, that's why it is so rarely used," the old grey beard declared.

"But the bidder was my godfather I assume, and he is dead." Harry said.

"But as Mr. Black's heirs you have the legal power to speak for him."

Hope sprang into Harry's heart, within moments he had Remus and Mr. Weasley agreement to set the dowry-day contract aside. Delighted he turned to Ginny and said:

"I hereby set you free Ginny, to make your own choices in life. You are free to love whomever you feel worthy to . . ."

"Hey, wait one bloody second" Ginny said clearly upset, interrupting Harry. "Do I get a say in anything that happens to me today?"

"What do you mean young woman?" the grey beard said puzzled.

"Well aren't I one of the parties involved?"

"Yes of course, but we naturally assumed..." the grey beard said.

"It's a bad idea to start assuming anything around me," Ginny said interrupting the old wizard with an angry and determined voice.

"Sneaky …Potter, really sneaky, but it won't work. Near thing that, except for one tiny little thing, I don't agree," and marching over to her stunned intend-boyfriend, she proceeded to stab her index finger over and over into his chest. "You're my husband Harry James Potter, get use to it! You're not going to set me free out concern for my safety. Bloody-hell Harry, I have had our wedding planed since I was eleven."

Everyone was staring at Ginny in rap attention, hanging on every word.

"What you fail to understand my darling and adorable fifteen year old spouse, is that you have things arse backwards. Everybody in this room got this whole Dowry-day thing all wrong. Sirius didn't buy me for you, the way I see it. He bought you for me, and I personally will always be grateful for the gift. Except it Harry, I am your fourteen year old wife. In fourteen days I will be the fifteen year old spouse to a sixteen year old husband.

"In 1655 people got married young because they were dead of old age before turning fifty. By modern standards we are both a bit immature and somewhat inexperienced with life …for this kind of step in growing up, I know that. However, I have always wanted to be your wife, and I am going to stay your wife for as long as we both may live."

"Well-said Ginny," Molly declared, "well said."

Harry looked crestfallen, he had come so close to getting Ginny out of this, and his only mistake was …that she didn't want to get out of it. He loved Ginny Weasley with all his heart. She said that she knew the risks involved in being with him, but Harry was still worried about her more and more each second. As his girlfriend, Ginny's in-danger level jumped a lot naturally, but that was nothing compared to what she would face when the news got out that she was Harry Potter's Dowry-day Bride.

"Harry my Love," Ginny said her tone turning soft and pleading, "I have always wanted to marry you! I intended to have you chase me for a couple of years first, before I let you catch me, but you have always been my first choice as husband. This dowry-day business just allows me to catch you sooner than planned, that's all!"

Since becoming Ginny's boyfriend, then her intended, a stage of courtship in the English wizarding similar to 'going steady' in the Muggle world Harry had found it increasingly harder to deny this beautiful redhead anything. She was smiling up at him, he looked into her chocolate brown eyes, and he knew the truth, down to the bottom of his soul he loved this petite fifteen-year-old vixen.

"Just once before I die," Harry said in a soft whisper to his reason for living. "I want to win an argument with my favorite adorable redhead. I am still nowhere close to being convinced that this marriage thing was a good idea, but only …out of concern for your safety. However, nor can I deny that the idea of waking up next to you each morning is extremely …appealing!"

Harry remembered how during his first year …how something like the battle for the stone that was suppose to be a total secret, became instantly, common knowledge around school. With that in mind the boy who lived knew in his heart of hearts that everyone on the train back to Hogwarts would know, ten minutes after leaving Kings Cross station, all about the new Dowry-day bride, Mrs. Ginevra Molly Weasley-Potter.

Harry's attention was distracted as the grey-haired wizard who turned out to be the same C. A. Quartermain who had sent him his letter in the park, called the room to attention. After a brief "all right you win" kiss; Harry, Arthur, Andromeda and Remus were all called forward alone to hear the final distribution of Sirius Black vast family fortune. This gave Ginny the opportunity she had been looking for; a chance for a few private words with the headmaster and her mum outside the hearing of her new ... "Husband."

She had barely sat down next to the headmaster when the old man said in a soft voice. "That was very good Mrs. Potter, Harry almost got away from you, Nice save, I must say. But why do I feel that something is still bothering you."

"I am worried Headmaster," Ginny said, "This is all happening too quickly for my liking."

"What do you mean?" The headmaster asked suddenly very interested in what the young woman had to say.

"First off: my husband is fifteen and I'm fourteen, which means that my body …has only just begun to develop the curves that boys notice. I thought that I have plenty of time to work things out, you know what I mean, getting Harry to commit to marriage and babies. My mum convinced me that it would take a lot of time and patience to get through emotionally to Harry. I didn't believe I could get him to admit he cared for me at all, until …well …I had transformed from a boyish figured …stick into a woman with sex appeal. Even then …I wasn't thinking the "L" word would come up in conversation at minimum before Christmas holiday …two years from now …and not even then unless I was extremely lucky.

"Secondly: I honesty did not believe that Harry would make his move, as in touching me any place except my waistline, anytime before we were in our late teens or I had developed some serious curves like Cho had last year." Ginny said concentrating hard. "And yet …the first time I kissed Harry square on the mouth (*in the parlor of Grimmauld Place*). Half way through the kiss I felt both his hands fill …with my all but non-existent …bum.

Boy's don't make passes at girl's without asses, every first year girls are quick to learn that simple truth and yet …before the day was out, I was snogged senseless and got to spent an entire night with my Harry in the same bed …almost-naked. Then this morning …instead of running away from me, when I told him what happened to me in the chamber of secrets …he breaks down into tears and tells me he's falling in love with me …all over again!"

May I point out to you that Lady Malfoy was spot-on? The Pureblood Act originally had witches married at twelve and pregnant by thirteen?" Dumbledore said in a whisper. "Life was harder in 1655 and young people became mature a lot sooner than the current generation".

I Know I'm too young for this, and because of that I won't argue about Harry's insistence that we hold off our wedding until after I am out of school for I think he's a little scared about the whole concept of being married this young too. I'm not hesitant because I want to date anyone else, mind you", Ginny confessed, "I've my sights on him since I was Ten years old.

Harry apparently doesn't appear to have the male genetic resistance to settling down and this works into my long term plans for him perfectly, Ginny said as she couldn't help but smile at her noble hearted lover's predictably. "So unless something else happens to chance things we are still talking almost three years before I can consummate my role as Mrs. Potter or start a family."

"That my conclusion as well. So what is your point?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well sir, let's add it all up and see what we get. Instead of taking multiple years' worth of careful ground work, while hoping he didn't fall in love with someone else. Without the use of all of the sexy skin tight clothes, sheer knickers and see through swimsuits which is the traditional bait used to catch a man. Harry on his own confesses his love to a girl wearing a too big terry robe and bunny slippers. We don't need to be locked up alone together on a Island for a week, just to get Harry to admit he even liked me, if only in private. He tells me he loves me in front of all of you within minutes of me seeing him."

"Then out of nowhere this hits, allow me to lay it out for you sir: Less than 72 hours after he kicks the arse of his cousin defending my honor. Before I know what is happening, I find myself, a flat chested none too pretty fifteen-year-old girl, a fortnight shy of my fifteenth birthday with a boyfriend who admits to the whole world that he is in love, I repeat in LOVE with me. Overnight Harry transforms himself into an intended-boyfriend the second step in magic-folk courtship, just one step shy of being engaged."

"Now (wonder of wonder) this mourning to the surprise of everyone, especially me, I find myself with my beloved Harry as my dowry-day husband, the entire magic-folk courtships' ritual, which normally takes several years, completed in less then twenty-four hours." Ginny said counting each point off on her fingers.

"Yes I was thinking along the same lines today, but tell me your conclusion oh wise sage of Gryffindor tower then I will tell you mine," Dumbledore said in a teasing tone while at the same time greatly impressed by Ginny's insight and maturity.

"Well sir, after you read us my prophecy, we all assumed at least three years full years before my marriage and pregnancy. That is loads of time before the last battle to gather allies and prepare our side for a Tom Riddle big move. The problem is as of right now; two-thirds of my prophecy is already fulfilled. Harry and I are man and wife."

"If I now somehow manage to get around the Hogwarts student birth control charm, which has kept female students from having to leave school due to unplanned pregnancy since the school was founded; we are in big time trouble. My conclusion Headmaster is that for some reason that remains a mystery to all of us, destiny has decided to put my prophecy on the fast track. What if my dowry-day husband and I conceive a child soon, and I mean really soon? Such a child will be as the prophecy said made in love, because I love him and he loves me. This child will be lawfully conceived within the confines of Wizarding law definition of wedlock. Which mean the way I see it, we could be hip deep in the final battle with Tom before Christmas of this year!

"It makes sense to me Albus," Molly said having heard every word.

"Her logic is almost flawless, I am impressed, really impressed, but there are three things that might give us a little time. One: There is as you mentioned Ginny, the Hogwarts love-child charm for one thing. I believe you are right; no student has ever had to leave school due to pregnancy in its entire history. But I agree with your logic so just to be on the safe side, I intend to reinforce that spell when I return to the school." The headmaster said reassuringly.

"As to your second point concerns conceiving a child, you should keep in mind how determined Harry is to see you finish school. Charms are a wonderful way to prevent an unwanted pregnancy but they are not half as effective as abstinence, and I think that is what Harry will use along with a lot of willpower to keep you safe, at least until you turn seventeen.

"The third and final thing to keep in mind is your legal status as Mrs. Potter" Dumbledore said with a tiny smile "because actually Ginny, you are Harry's wife in one sense and not his wife in another."

"What? ... Sorry sir you lost me there," Ginny said confused.

"You are not married as much as you think you are Ginny, bride-price dowry-day girls are normally only fourteen when they wed, and although most have already begun to ovulate and therefore physically capable of having children. The average Dowry bride of today is too young emotionally to consider the responsibilities of consummating such a marriage, a union that was just arranged upstairs an hour ago. The law understands this, which is why Lady Malfoy said that Draco could not consummate his arranged marriage to you for another couple of years and a fortnight."

"Your status right now," Dumbledore explained, "is very similar to the stage of courtship called DATESET. Which means a definite time and date have now been set for your change in name and status, in your case that means you retain your own name of Weasley until both bride and groom are of legal age."

"But on your seventeenth birthday Ginny, you will become Ginevra Molly Potter for the rest of your life. On that day, Harry will have the same husband's right to share your bed and enjoy your body as Draco would have had if Lady Malfoy little plot had not failed. Narcissa was also right that as you are technically a wife as of today, no formal engagement or wedding ceremony is not by law required after your seventeenth birthday, but we both know now Harry is still very determined to give you both."

"Come to think of it Molly," Dumbledore said in a surprised tone as if a thought just accrued to him. "As Harry and Ginny are right now, Dowry-day married, you and Arthur are not permitted by law to pay a single knut for the wedding Harry is so insistent in having. Narcissa was right about that as well as something else I just thought of."

"As of August first, just as Mrs. Malfoy said. Ginny officially becomes a part of the Potter household in every sense except sexually. It is Harry that will legally have to bear the entire burden of the cost of her education from this moment onward, tuition, schoolbooks, lab equipment, clothing, shoes, brooms and any and all spending money. In fact, everything she will require from today onward, as well as the full cost of the wedding, will come out of the Potter account at Gringott's, not the Weasley one. Which, come to think on it; is yet another reason to be grateful that the Malfoy marriage plot failed, for I doubt that Narcissa would have paid to send Ginny back to Hogwarts this fall."

"On the other hand," Dumbledore said taking Ginny's hand and smiling down at the girl and her mum. "Your new legal status does have a couple of perks for the bride to be," Albus said with a twinkle in his eyes. "For one thing young lady, as of today you are no longer subject (officially) to your parent's discipline, only your future husband can punish you. Nor will any mail addressed to you go to the Burrow, it will instead be delivered to Norton Manor, your future home."

"That is why Narcissa was quite right when she stated that, it is traditional for a dowry-bride to move into her future husband's household for training in her duties as his consort. This means that Ginny would stay at Norton Island, the official Potter household during all Christmas and summer holidays from now on, instead of the Burrow."

Molly took this announcement with a look of abject horror. Seeing this, the headmaster quickly added.

"I doubt Harry will insist on this Molly, if you or Ginny object to her leaving the Burrow, but officially Ginny is now the Mistress of Norton Manor. As for the other perk, the best one of all, we will have to speak to Mr. Quartermain when he finished with the Will, which he appears to be doing now!"

At the other end of the table the five men and two women were rising to their feet and shaking hands. Three goblins appeared out of a side door to escort the heirs down to their vaults for the transfer of the massive amounts of wealth each of the heirs of Sirius Black received.

Arthur walked over to his wife with a strange look on his face. "Molly my pet, I regret to tell you but we must give up the vault we have shared since we got married, I am informed it is far too small to hold even half the Galleons we now have. Apparently we are very rich my dear, so is Remus, embarrassingly rich it appears. I am told we now have twice the combined wealth of all the different Malfoy family branches or the lower half of the other top five hundred wealthiest magical families." Arthur said in stunned voice as the full implications of his new found wealth hit home. "But what Remus and I have combined in Galleons," Arthur said, "is nothing compared to the wealth that Harry now controls!"

"Yes, speaking of that" Dumbledore said "Charles before you show Mr. Potter his new vault, and transfer the balance of his old vault into it. There is some paperwork connected to Dowry-day that has to be completed, and of course his dowry-bride will also need to go with her husband, as well as obtain a key of her own to the Potter family vault." Ginny's eyes went wide in surprise, and stunned she turned to the headmaster and said: "Why do I get a key to Harry's vault?"

"That's right Albus I forgot, please forgive me." Mr. Quartermain said before bowing respectfully toward Ginny. "As you are now, the Dowry-bride of Lord Harry James Potter the twenty-third Earl of Nor-Wall. That instantly makes you officially and more importantly legally, Dame Ginevra Molly Weasley-Potter, the mother of his heirs, Mistress of his household, and the keeper of his treasury. What that means young lady is as of this moment you have the same access rights to your husband's vault as he does himself."

"So tell me young woman, I am curious," Mr. Quartermain asked with a big grin on his face. "How does it feel to suddenly become not only the wife of the man you adore, but also at the same time, one of the ten wealthiest witches on the entire planet? "

"I am ... What?" Ginny said the moment before, in a total state of shock, her head spinning, she swooned dead away. For the second time in twenty-four hours, fainting into the gentle loving arms of her beloved Harry, the love of her life and now... at long-long last, her HUSBAND!

Comments welcome

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author post chapter note:

Why haven't I been posting

I have been involved in the re-write of another author' story …just for fun …or so I thought. By taking his set up and humorous letters home style I began …in subtle steps to change over the course of the first eleven chapters …the main and sub-plot lines to take his tale in a radically different direction. I spent months on the effort, 22 chapters worth and was near completion, when the urge to publish my Hollywood style remake overcame me.

Not wanting to be a plagiarist, I then asked permission to do the rewrite, the author said NO. Take this as a lesson learned when considering a rewrite of someone else's story. GET PERMISSION First.

Enuff-said