Chapter 35

Confused, Ant replied, "Well, I believe Cele and I are soul mates. We've been together since grad school. We knew, even back then, that we would be together."

"Good," said Madam Pomfrey. "This makes things easier. In the magical world, with witches and wizards, we have soul relationships... as we call that sort of thing... that can go even deeper than that. Yes, we have soul mates. However, we also have soul bonds and soul bounds.

"With those who are soul bound, as soon as the binding is established, no matter the age, magic recognises the two involved as being married. That's because their souls become joined. To us, it's a wondrous thing for two people to be so closely matched. We consider it to be a match made in Heaven that not even our highest laws can interfere with.

"And, actually, it's considered a criminal offence to attempt to keep those involved in a soul binding apart. That's because, to do so, could literally kill those involved."

Taking a sip of her tea, she continued, "The level I want to discuss with you is the one between that and soul mates... The soul bonded.

"In a soul bond, magic has recognised that the... parties... involved are linked. Though we do not recognise them as married at that time, they are perfectly suited to one another for when they decide to marry, and make the relationship permanent. And, unless something bad happens, they will marry. Magic wants it to happen.

"Again, there are laws in place to stop people trying to separate the soul bonded. And ancient magic that protects them against someone trying to do just that. Once the bond has been initiated, no one is permitted to stand in the way of the bond. And the bond cannot be broken without the death of the other.

"Because of these conditions, the Ministry of Magic... our government... monitors for these bonds being initiated. They then send an urgent message to the parties involved informing them of the establishment of the bond, so that no one can separate them... unintentionally. Irrespective of the laws, the bond trumps them.

"And that brings us to why we're here, this evening. In something that has not been seen in recorded history... which means we're going back millennia... these three young people," she indicated the three teens, "are involved in a three-way soul bond."

"Whaaat?" Ant softly exclaimed, before looking at his daughter. Cele just looked stunned.

Hermione, fretting a little while Madam Pomfrey explained, looked at her parents with worry in her eyes. Ant's complexion became flushed and he started to look like he was going to blow his top.

There was sudden flash and John, Roma and another appeared in the room. The third looked like a slightly overweight woman of African descent with frizzy hair pulled back into a bun. However, she had a large shock of white hair in front of her black hair. It looked almost a negative of Narcissa Malfoy's locks.

Ant and Cele snapped their heads around to see the three beings that had suddenly appeared, and both sat in shock.

"Anthony Michael," said the angel Harry hadn't seen before quite sternly. "Don't you go losing your temper, now."

"Wh-who are you?" he asked.

John said, "I'm John, Harry's guardian angel." Indicating the other two, he said, "This is Roma and Della. Roma is Hermione Jean's guardian angel. And Della is Daphne Anna's."

Harry was looking at Madam Pomfrey and could see she appeared frozen.

"Umm," he said. "What's wrong with Madam Pomfrey?"

"She's frozen in time," said Della. "She's not to be aware of this. But, she'll be instantly revived once we leave."

"Guardian angels?" squeaked Cele.

"Yes, baby," said Della, a lot more calmly. "And we're here to stop Anthony Michael, over there, from losing his temper."

"Oh," said Cele.

John cut in and said, "You two only need to understand that the soul bond between these three," indicating the three teens, "is literally a match made in Heaven, as Poppy Susan said it was.

"Losing your temper about it means you are losing your temper with Heaven. And we can't have that."

"So," said Ant, clearing his throat. "I don't get a say in this?"

"No, dear boy, you do not," Della firmly replied.

"However," said Roma, speaking for the first time. "You do not need to fear for your daughter's happiness. She has loved Harry James since she was twelve years old. Even without the soul bond, she would have married him.

"What the soul bond does is protect her, Harry James and Daphne Anna from many forms of magical attack. It also protects her from anyone trying to use the law to keep them apart. The soul bond was decided upon to keep her and the other two safe. It is not for you to interfere."

"I'm her father," said Ant a little morosely. "It's my job to keep her safe. I swore it."

"And you are," said Roma. "This bond is part of that."

"You're a good man, Anthony Michael," said Della with clear feeling. "You're a loving husband and father. We are most pleased with you."

"However," said John. "We needed to step in to stop you making a horrid mistake. A mistake that would have deeply wounded your daughter, Harry James and Daphne Anna. It would not have stopped what is to happen."

Ant, knowing the truth of the words, sadly nodded his head.

Turning to Cele, Roma said, "And you, Celeste Marie, we are also most pleased with you, too. You are a wonderful wife and mother. Keep up the good work and you shall soon be rewarded."

"Rewarded?" asked Cele.

The three smiled and Della said, "You will know when the time comes."

John said, "We must take our leave. When we go, time will recommence. At that time, Poppy Susan will be unfrozen. You are not to speak to her of meeting us. Understood?"

All five nodded.

With another flash, they were gone.

Poppy suddenly said, "I know this is a great shock, Doctor and Doctor Granger... and difficult for you to accept due to you both being muggle and having little understanding of our world... however, there's nothing anyone can do to undo this."

Harry reached into his pocket and drew forth the two Ministry letters he'd received the night of the bond being initiated, and handed them to Ant.

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