Ragnok blinked. "Hmm, I think I can see why Harry likes you."
She went slightly pink. The adult Grangers smirked at each other.
"Yes, that is more or less right. Here you go." Ragnok handed over the knife to her and watched her expectantly.
She held the knife, and nervously made a small prick at the tip of her index finger, letting a single drop of blood fall into the silver chalice on the desk. Both she, and her parents watched in fascination as the prick healed itself, and the blood stopped flowing.
Ten minutes later, after a very interesting conversation, they'd confirmed that she was indeed a true muggleborn, and not the long lost squib line of Merlin. They all pulled out their papers and got down to the real business.
Ragnok crouched behind the desk and brought out an ornate stained oak box. He opened it. Inside sat six silver rings. Three of the rings had a small snake wrapped around the setting, while the other three featured a wreath of wheat. "We just received these back from the enchanter. A most unusual request, to be sure, but when does our Lord Slytherin ever do things the normal way?" He laughed at what appeared to be an inside joke before gesturing to the rings. "The wheat ones are, of course, yours, just sign here and the house of Granger will be officially recognised by the ministry as a house." He pushed a filled out form towards her father who picked up the quill offered and signed where shown. A small cut on the back of his hand briefly showed his signature etched in blood before fading.
Her father picked up the box.
"Well, here's to the magical world. Hermione, Emma," he intoned, handing each a ring. They each put on a ring and felt the magic catch. Dan's glowed for a split second before re-colouring itself gold.
"Congratulations, Head of House Granger." Dan grinned. "How long until the wizard ministry challenges it?" Ragnok returned his grin. "With this next bit, hopefully never."
They returned their gaze to the papers in front of them, and Ragnok cleared his throat. "Ah. Allow me to read out the salient points. I know you've already read it through many times, but it is only proper. We haven't done one of these for hundreds of years after all."
Hermione smiled. It had taken a lot of work to get to this point but once she had a firm grasp of the legal position she and her parents were in, it was only a matter of time before she and Harry worked something out to safeguard herself and her family.
"Point one," Ragnok read, "Vassalage of House Granger to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Slytherin.
Responsibilities of Most Ancient and Noble (MAAN) House Slytherin
A - MAAN House Slytherin will arrange for and authorise the installation and maintenance of war-level goblin wards around the Granger residence.
B - MAAN House Slytherin will offer permanent residence at Slytherin Manor for members of House Granger during times of war.
C - MAAN House Slytherin will champion House Granger in any legal disputes that may arise in the magical world.
D - MAAN House Slytherin can stand in loco certatior for any members of House Granger challenged to an honour duel, and will for any non-magical members.
E - Lord Slytherin will act as magical guardian to minors of House Granger born to non-magical parents.
F - MAAN House Slytherin will magically defend the interests and honour of House Granger within the means offered by the law, up to and including declaring blood feuds.
G - MAAN House Slytherin will grant House Granger unfiltered access to the Slytherin Library.
H - MAAN House Slytherin will make all reasonable effort to secure places for all eligible children of House Granger at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I - MAAN House Slytherin will train all magical members of House Granger in the mind arts from age five until they have reached mastery level three.
J - MAAN House Slytherin will extend MAAN House legal rights to House Granger within the extent permissible by the law.
K - MAAN House Slytherin will grant House Granger a one-acre parcel of land in the grounds of Slytherin Manor along with the option to build a medium sized country house.
L - MAAN House Slytherin will respect the family secrets of House Granger and not divulge secrets to other houses, including other vassal houses, without consent of the Head of House Granger.
Responsibilities of House Granger
A - House Granger will grant right of first refusal of any betrothal contracts to MAAN House Slytherin.
B - House Granger will support MAAN House Slytherin during times of war with able wands and minds.
C - Working age members of House Granger will provide fifty workdays a year (or an equivalent) to MAAN House Slytherin.
D - MAAN House Slytherin will be granted twenty-five percent royalties on intellectual property held by House Granger.
E - MAAN House Slytherin will be granted a five percent share on all earned and business net incomes owned by House Granger along with options for a position on the boards of said businesses.
F - House Granger will not divulge Slytherin family secrets without the leave of Lord Slytherin.
G - House Granger will provide MAAN House Slytherin with unfiltered access to the House Granger Library."
Hermione nodded through most of it. The actual contract was much bigger and contained a lot more legalise but the intent was clear. Whatever happened in the future, so long as the House of Slytherin survived, the House of Granger would be protected.
The biggest sticking point for her parents had been the betrothal contract clause, until it was pointed out to them that it only became an issue if House Granger actually wanted to use a betrothal contract. Mostly, the clause was just to stop other houses trying to force a betrothal contract on her through some other method. In such a case, her father could just point out that of course they'd love to do a contract, but Lord Slytherin would always get 'first dibs'. That had never happened in the second timeline, but considering how she'd acted then, it wasn't surprising.
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