A Badgers Love

Chapter 4

It was nearly ten minutes before Harry regained consciousness.

"I had the weirdest dream," he said as he woke up, noticing all the people standing around him. "And you were there. And you. And you."

"Harry," Martin said as he sat down in the chair next to the young wizard. "It wasn't a dream."

"Of course it was," Harry said with an uneasy chuckle. "It had to be, because I remember you saying I was going to marry Hannah. And that's not possible because I really don't know her."

Martin sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Harry, I know this is a bit of s shock," said Martin. "But when your parents were alive, my wife and I wrote and signed a marriage contact for you and Hannah."

"My parents?" asked Harry.

"Yes," said Martin, who then went on to explain the story the same way he had to his daughter.

"But why?" asked Harry when he was done. "Why did they suddenly change their minds?"

"They were probably afraid that what did happen to them, would happen, and wanted to make sure you were taken care of," said Martin.

At that, Harry scoffed and said, "Looks like someone messed up along the way."

"What do you mean?" asked Martin.

"Nothing," said Harry. He never really liked talking about his life with the Dursley's, and didn't feel like that would change with the Abbott's. Even if he was going to have to marry Hannah.

"Look, this has been a long day for me," Harry said. "Can I go to bed now? I need some time to think things over."

"Unfortunately, no," said Professor McGonagall, who Harry hadn't noticed join them and guessed she had arrived while he was unconscious. "Mr. Abbott has contacted Madam Bones, and she is on her way. No doubt she will want to question you about what Deloris has done."

"Oh," said Harry, as he slumped down in his chair.

The adults moved to the other side of the room to discuss what they wanted and hoped would happen when Amelia arrived, leaving Harry and Hannah alone.

"Harry," she finally said after nearly a minute of silence. "I really am sorry I didn't tell you right away."

"Were you ever going to?" he asked a little coldly. "Or did you plan on just sending me an invite to our wedding?"

Hannah was hurt by the tone of his voice.

"I did want to tell you," she said. "Honestly. I tried to last night, after I found out and talked to my dad about it. But then I sort of chickened out. Then I decided that I would tell you tonight, and was just about to when I noticed your hand."

"You only found out yesterday?" asked Harry.

"Yes," said Hannah. "In a letter from the Ministry... Even my own parents didn't tell me about it. So you and I are pretty much in the same boat in regards to this whole thing being new."

Harry closed his eyes and sighed.

"If anything, I'm sorry," he said.

"What do you mean?" asked Hannah. "Why are you sorry?"

"Because you don't like me and now you're stuck with me," said Harry.

Hannah was shocked when she heard that. She wondered why he would think she didn't like him.

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"Last year, those things you said to me," said Harry, refusing to meet her gaze. "And in second year... I overheard you talking to some people. You said you thought I was the Heir of Slytherin and was attacking everyone."