The five friends were sat on the Hogwarts Express, relaxing, as Hermione leant into Y/N's left side, her arms round his waist- his left round her shoulder. He was balancing and bouncing a ball of Diabolica on his right hand. Lavender, Harry and Ron were sat across from them.

"Can't believe another year has finished!" Lavender smiled.

"Do you think we'll ever have a quiet year?" Harry asked chuckling.

"If anything it will get worse from here on in. Enjoy the good times while you can" Y/N answered not looking up from where his eyes were fixed on the blue fire. His friends and especially his girlfriend noticed he hadn't been himself the past six weeks. He had been quiet, brooding, pensive. He'd been deeply affected by the deaths of Pam, Anna, Ash and Ruby. Pam he knew was in heaven. He had no doubt Ash would be. Anna was just gone. But Ruby...

She had sold her soul. He was tortured with the thought of what she was being subjected to, even more so after the Boggart in the DADA exam. He was pulled from his thoughts by Lavender.

"Y/N is that... Protego Diabolica?" Lavender asked whispering the last two words, causing Y/N to grin. They were in an enclosed cabin with the door shut.

"It is Lavender. I have fantastic control of it now. Practice makes perfect" Y/N chuckled.

"What's that?" Ron asked. His cluelessness earned him looks of frustration from the two girls.

"It's a spell Ron. A deadly spell. If I was to send this fireball towards Draco right now it would turn him to ash. But say Lavender here..."

The fireball flew into Lavender's chest, disappeared and reappeared moments later.
Y/N laughed at Ron's cowardly whimpers as it flew back to circling Y/N's hand.

"That's what killed Quirrell!" Harry gasped in realisation.

"It is Harry. It's part of my grandfather's memetic legacy. I couldn't teach you to do it if I wanted to. I can only cast it due to my Grindelwald blood, and being the Heir of the Grindelwald ősi és nemesi háza" Y/N concluded in a thick accent.

The spell fizzled out as Y/N released it, leant back, and closed his eyes.

"The what?" Ron whimpered.

"The Ancient and Noble House of Grindelwald" Y/N answered without opening his eyes.

"Since when do you speak Hungarian?" Lavender chuckled as Hermione snuggled into Y/N.

"Since I found out I was quarter Hungarian, been teaching myself in my spare time. By the way, I have a premium box booked for the Quidditch World Cup final if you guys are interested. Ron tell your whole family they are invited."

Ron squealed in excitement and asked in childlike glee:

"How did you get that?"

"Ron who is the chief sponsor of the World Cup?"

"Magic Candle Brewers- they make the best butterbeer and pumpkin juice in the world!" Ron screamed excitedly.

Y/N chuckled and replied: "Thanks Ron"

"What do you mean thanks?"

"I own the company numbnuts!"

The others continued to talk as Y/N took the rare opportunity to rest.

—~—

After arriving back at the station the five students were embraced by Molly and Arthur who were waiting to collect their children.

Ron excitedly yelled Y/N had a premium box to the World Cup Final and they were all invited. Y/N sent a quick groan of frustration mentally to Hermione who smiled and rubbed his arm. She knew he was thinking about his friends again, he'd been quiet for most of the journey home. Y/N told Molly to owl Hermione to sort the arrangements, as he would be out of the country for most of the summer.

Lavender left next, Y/N and Hermione greeting her parents politely. Her mother knew Hermione well but it was her first time meeting Y/N. She curtsied three times and kept addressing him as Lord L/N, much to Lav's embarrassment and Harry's amusement. After Lavender left the three remaining friends passed through the barrier. Vernon was waiting and went pale at the sight of Y/N. Y/N greeted Monica and Wendell with a hug and a handshake before walking straight to Vernon and Harry and spoke calmly.

"You've got two strikes Vernon. A single mark on this boy and your family will not survive. Consider this your final warning."

Y/N sent Vernon the memory of what he did to Gerald Rosier. A wet patch emerged on the front of Vernon's pants and down his leg.

Y/N turned and nodded at Harry leaving a quivering Vernon as he walked back to his future in-laws.

—~—

They had a good chat in the car ride home, discussing much, but not everything, that happened during the year.

They sat back at the Granger house and enjoyed a cup of tea.

"So you two will be here all summer?" Monica asked happily.

"Uh about that. I need to talk to the two of you" Y/N smiled.

They looked anxious as Hermione gently held Y/N's hand.

"There is a war coming as we've discussed before. There have already been casualties- I've lost friends, peop-"

Y/N looked up as he felt his eyes water. Hermione kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around him as the Grangers realised what he was saying and looked at him with sympathy.

"We are fighting evil people. I don't think you would believe the whole truth. Just know your lives have already been threatened. The three of you have been placed on a list for the past six weeks- people want to kill you to get to me."

Monica covered her mouth. Wendell's eyes opened wide. Hermione gave her parents a sad smile.

"I don't want you to worry. You've had twenty pairs of eyes on you at all times. At Christmas time I... there's no way to say this that doesn't sound insane. I formed my own private army. You are guarded every moment of everyday, there have been wards in place on your home, your cars, your surgery for the last six weeks. No one can get close to you, you have my word" Y/N said with sincerity and resoluteness.

The Grangers' tried to accept the earth shattering revelations. They were targets but were being guarded- and their 'son in law' formed an army?

"You ok Wendell?" Y/N asked worried.

"Yes just a lot to take in. So you promise my family is safe?"

"They are Wendell. I trust my Phoenix Bearers with my life. Literally. Only a handful know about the Bearers- three of them are in this room."

"Well thank you for telling us son" Wendell nodded.

"I'll do you one better. I'll show you. You ready to meet the Phoenix Bearers Lady Granger?"

Hermione nodded and giggled.

—~—

Y/N apparated the family to the manor. He smiled while rubbing Wendell's back as Hermione did the same for her mum. Once they had regained their land legs they took in their surroundings.

Hermione gasped as she saw first Penny's and then her portraits.

"Baby what's-?"

"You like them love? I magically created them myself. You and Penny are my princesses- you're the inspiration for my Bearers!"

"It's beautiful baby, they both are!" Hermione kissed Y/N before hugging him tight.

"My Lord!" Evie called out before she ran into the hall. She hugged Y/N before bowing deeply.

"It is so good to see you My Lord. I'm honoured to meet you My Lady!" She finished as she bowed deeply to Hermione as well.

"Uh hello" Hermione giggled nervously.

"Gonna have to get used to that baby. Hermione, Monica, Wendell meet Evie Frye. She is the Potions Master for the Phoenix Bearers. Evie this is my Lady Hermione Granger and her parents, Monica and Wendell Granger."

"It is so lovely to meet you all. I missed lunch my Lord so I'm grabbing some food to take back now" Evie said with a smile. She turned to leave before the fierce tone of her Lord stopped her in her tracks.

"Evie Frye! You will sit in the mess hall and enjoy your lunch break. That's an order from your Lord!"

Y/N's authoritative tone caused the parents to look at him shocked and Hermione to giggle.

"Yes my Lord!" Evie smiled sweetly, appreciating how much her Lord cared about her welfare. Y/N asked much more gently:

"Oh, and the Wolfsbane for Remus-"

"I'm working on it now, alongside the potions for Chiara and Gareth, my Lord."

"Excellent. Thank you Evie. Now go have some lunch, we'll catch up soon."

Evie nodded and smiled before bowing to the Grangers and heading to the mess hall.

"The Bearers will be training outside on a lovely day like this. The manor has a lot of courtyards. Come love, I'll show you all around" Y/N smiled.

Hermione smiled and nodded.

—~—

As the family walked around the manor they came to a courtyard, one of the guards spotting Y/N and the Grangers and his eyes opened wide.

Y/N quickly put a finger to his mouth shushing him from across the courtyard the guard nodded and smiled at his lord.

"Let's stay in the shadows for a minute and observe" Y/N whispered to his girlfriend and in-laws and they nodded.

They watched as one man was surrounded by five others. He was struck at the side of his face by one on his left as blood gushed out his mouth and was instantly met with a back handed fist from a man on his right, spilling more fluid.

A third back hand slapped him and the piggy in the middle charged him. He tackled him to the ground and as he was pulled off threw a savage punch to his face.

Monica covered her mouth in shock, even Wendell was surprised at their savagery. The man was punched and kicked as he tried to get up to to be met with a knockout blow that dropped him. Jackson, who was observing from the side called out "Halt!"

The men instantly stopped and stood at attention as Jackson healed the beaten man. Rather than magically waking him he emptied a jug of water onto his head. The man, now awake, coughed and spluttered as he got to his feet, feeling his mended mouth. Jackson started yelling to those in attendance.

"Phoenix Bearers. Know this and know it well. Any Phoenix Bearer's finest moment- the greatest fulfilment of all they hold dear- is that moment, when they have fought their heart out for the glory of our Lord and lay dead on the battlefield. Victorious! Now... who is willing to die at our Lord's side?"

The twenty to thirty men and women in attendance didn't hesitate to answer. They screamed in unison.

AROO!

AROO!

AROO!

Y/N suddenly walked forward from the shadows clapping his hands slowly. Seeing it was their Lord all the Phoenix Bearers in attendance instantly dropped to one knee with the exception of Jackson who bowed deeply.

"Shouldn't you be training them to live at their Lord's side my friend?" Y/N asked with a smile.

"Living would be an honour, but dying would be our glory, my Lord!" Jackson replied.

It is safe to say the Grangers, even Hermione, were dumbstruck.

"Phoenix Bearers. I have brought honoured guests today. Please welcome your Lady Hermione Granger and her parents, Wendell and Monica Granger."

The Phoenix Bearers, who had risen, knelt again.

"Are they kneeling for us?" Monica asked dumbfounded.

"Technically they are kneeling for their Archduchess. You two are a very close second but should qualify for a bow" Y/N chuckled.

Hermione blushed at the attention.

"Monica, Wendell- I want to introduce a very special friend of mine. This is Jackson Selwyn- my second in command and one of my loyalest acolytes."

He bowed again as he shook the Grangers hands and kissed Hermione's in a show of respect.

"Jackson Selwyn, I recognise the name" Wendell smiled. "Didn't you escape from Azkaban a few months back?"

"No" Jackson smiled glancing at Y/N.

"No?" Wendell asked confused. He was sure that was the name he read in the paper.

"No. I didn't escape from anything. My Lord broke into that Hellhole and rescued me. I owe him my life."

Monica and Wendell were astounded.

"You owe me nothing dear friend. Never leave a man behind. Especially an innocent one. But I gratefully accept your fealty" Y/N chuckled.

"Of course my Lord" Jackson bowed again, smiling.

"May I ask my Lord, are your guests here for the grand tour?" Jackson smirked. Y/N winked at his Second-in-Command.

"That they are my friend. Just wanted to come to the big house first. As you can see love we've turned the manor house in our headquarters. It's been abandoned for... six years now? Apart from our house elves of course" Y/N smiled.

"This was where...?" Hermione asked, almost too afraid to finish the sentence.

"Yes my love. This is where my father was murdered. This is where I was tortured. This is where my mother would beat me daily until Jacob turned up. I could never see this place as home again, even if my family has been here for 1000 years. But I'd say it makes a damn fine headquarters. Wouldn't you Jack?"

"Of course my lord. The Phoenix Bearers thank you daily for your generosity."

"Don't be silly. Any man or woman who swears fealty to me will be looked after properly. It's the mark of a good Lord."

"So all these people live here?" Wendell asked.

"If I may?" Jackson asked Y/N's permission to speak which Y/N signalled for him to go ahead.

"What you see us a small fraction of our forces. We live here. We train here. All our food, clothes, medical needs, everything is looked after. Our numbers have swollen. Many of our members were living in poverty on the fringes of society. Couldn't get respectable jobs, caught in a vicious circle of petty crimes and desperation. Until our Lord swooped in like a saviour" Jackson smiled.

Hermione and Monica were wiping tears from their eyes in pride. Wendell beamed at Y/N.

"You speak too kindly Jackson" Y/N replied bashfully.

"I haven't even started, Y/N. We have an infirmary for those of us with frail or sick family members. A school for those of us with small children. All our needs are met. Y/N takes care of us far better than the Ministry ever could or would."

Hermione ran to Y/N and wrapped her arms round his neck, kissing him sweetly. Most of the Phoenix Bearers averted their eyes out of respect. Vinda though who came round the corner made a wolf whistle noise.

"I see now why my Lord turns down every advance made to 'im. When a man kisses a woman like that 'e is truly in love" she grinned.

Hermione pulled from the kiss breathless and looked in her boyfriends eyes, gasping:

"You are amazing!"

Y/N smirked. "Well I did keep telling you but you wouldn't listen baby".

"'Ave they seen the masterpiece yet my Lord?" Vinda asked smiling as she bowed to the Grangers.

"Not yet Vinda, we're going there next. This is Wendell, Monica and of course you know the beautiful, smart and talented Hermione Granger. Guys this is Vinda, another of my most trusted acolytes."

"Masterpiece? Is this the secret weapon you've been building?" Hermione asked curious.

Vinda suddenly whispered in Y/N's ear and he smiled.

"It is and it's ready. I was hoping to take you three to see it" Y/N smiled but Hermione could sense nervousness on his face and in his voice.

"Sounds great love" Hermione smiled before raising an eyebrow as Y/N unsheathed his wand.

"Just to make sure it's a surprise love...

Obscuro"

Hermione and her parents suddenly had a blindfold appear over their eyes. Hermione giggled and was about to make a joke about happy memories before remembering her parents were next to her as Y/N apparated the three of them.

—~—

Once Wendell and Monica's heads had stopped spinning Y/N lined them up.

"Ok are you guys ready? I've worked my arse off so I hope it's ok."

Hermione was extremely confused. Again she heard nervousness in his voice. Why was Y/N so nervous about a secret weapon he made for the war, or more particularly, why was he nervous about her and her parents reactions to it?

Finite Incantatem

The blindfolds disappeared and the three Grangers looked in front of them, awestruck.

"Baby... What is...?"

"This is my secret weapon love. I build us a house. A home- for the two of us. I mean whenever you are ready but-"

Hermione rushed and pulled Y/N into a tight hug as she felt tears roll down her cheeks. Monica and Wendell stood there speechless.

"You built us a house baby? A house?"

"I did love. I used magic where I had to but did as much as I could by hand. I used it for my pdsta" Y/N said happy at his lover's reaction.

"PTSD" Hermione giggled. "This is your greatest secret weapon?" She asked as she pulled from the hug and pecked his lips.

"It is my darling. A real home for the first time in my life. Our home. This is what I'm fighting for. We go to war and then we get to live. This is what I want to live for. This home. Marrying you, having children. This will keep me grounded. This will keep from going to far to the dark side. This... you..."

He motioned to the house before taking Hermione's hands in his own and looking into her chocolate eyes.

"This is what I'm fighting for. You are who I am fighting for. I love you, Hermione Granger. I can't wait to have a happily ever after with you!"

Hermione gasped at his passionate declaration before hugging him tightly again.

"You built a house?" Wendell asked gobsmacked.

"I did Wendell. Would you like to look inside? It's nothing special but I poured my heart into it."

They nodded and Y/N handed Hermione a key.

"Unlock the door but don't go in ok baby."

Hermione nodded and giggled. She unlocked the front door and then giggle-shrieked as Y/N picked her up bridal style.

"Let me carry you over the threshold my love."

Hermione smiled as she wrapped her arms around Y/N's neck and he walked her into the house. He gently put her down and she looked around in awe.

"Baby this is amazing. Incredible. You built this for us?"

"I did love. When you are ready we can live here."

They walked around the house, taking it in. Y/N carried Hermione over the threshold of their bedroom. She looked at their en-suite in awe- a giant shower, a spa, a luxurious bed and retreat in their room.

After checking the whole house they went downstairs and sat in the lounge, waiting for Monica and Wendell to join them.

"So... it's ok?" Y/N asked apprehensively.

Hermione giggled before looking up at her boyfriend.

"Wait... love are you seriously asking that?"

Y/N nodded.

"You deserve a mansion, a castle. I know this is just a cabin but-"

He was silenced with a finger on his lips. It was soon replaced by Hermione's lips.

"Of course it's ok my silly sweet. It's amazing. I can't believe you built this house for me. For us!"

They embraced as Monica and Wendell came downstairs and joined them. They were both blown away by what Y/N had done. He could have easily afforded to have this home built- but to do it himself was amazing.

"Y/N doesn't think this wonderful home is good enough Mum, Dad, if you can believe that!" Hermione said still shocked.

"What!!!" Monica asked equally as shocked. In her opinion, which she would keep to herself, it was nicer than her home.

"So to show him how much I love it. We're gonna to live her Mum and Dad, until Y/N has to go away in a couple of weeks. I just think that-"

Wendell chuckled.

"I'm not gonna say it's not a lot younger than I would want you to move out sweety but... you have our blessing. You look after her Y/N. Don't make me regret this!"

Y/N looked at Wendell solemnly and stood, holding out his hand for a handshake.

"You have my word sir."

—~—

The Grangers had returned home after Y/N had cooked them dinner. They had been shocked meeting all of Hermione and Y/N's children. They loved Crookshanks but were amazed at the other five, having never seen a magical creature, other than Y/N's dragon form. They found Newt and Gizmo adorable, Na-Hath awe inspiring and Hati and Buckbeak terrifying, even though they were well behaved.

The kids went to their special bedroom, each having a sleeping area in the room as Y/N and Hermione headed upstairs.

"I found a note from Vinda earlier baby. Can you wait outside for a moment?" Hermione asked bashfully.

Y/N looked puzzled but nodded. He waited patiently outside before hearing Hermione call to him.

"Vinda left us a house warming present. Come on in baby!"

Y/N entered their bedroom and his mouth dropped.