Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 54 - The Chimes of Hogwarts

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"So, why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to."

"No you didn't."

"I wanted... I wanted you to have your moment first."

"My moment?"

"You don't think I notice? You don't think I care? For the last month it's been Potter, Potter, Potter. Damn, Ron, even Draco's gotten more credit than you. It isn't fair. It isn't right. You held control over Voldemort with your mind and let James and Gabriella escape. You dropped him to his knees without using your wand! Merlin, I saw blood dripping from your eyes before you took an arrow from a Centaur. He was going to kill me and you stopped him. I've told everyone I know and there's not one word about Ron Weasley in the Daily Prophet."

"That's not true. Hang on..." Ron held up a finger and then began to rummage under his bed and behind his trunk until he finally found and unfolded an issue of the Daily Prophet he had saved. On one side was a large picture of Harry receiving the Order of Merlin from the Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley. "Let's see... Dad's brilliance at the Ministry... Something about you and Muggles... Blah, blah. blah, Harry's our hero... A puff piece on Narcissa Malfoy for setting up the Restore Hogsmeade Foundation... I know Draco put her up to it. Let's see, I know it's in here somewhere." Ron flipped the paper. "Ah... here we go." He cleared his throat and began to read.

"Inside sources say that the Montrose Magpies have their eyes set on a new recruit from this year's graduating class from Hogwarts. While early reports thought that the new addition might be none other than the spectacular Seeker Harry Potter, this reporter has discovered that the player is not the actual Harry Potter, but does indeed come from the very Quidditch Cup winning team Harry Potter coached. Was there ever any doubt that Harry Potter would have such a tremendous impact on the Quidditch world?"

"See! That's me." Ron tapped the paper with his finger.

Sitting on his own bed, Harry balled up his sock and threw it at Ron. Holding the paper with one hand, Ron caught it with the other.

"This... is mine," said Ron. "You know," he said, giving it a brief sniff, "maybe it'll be famous one day." He tucked the sock into his storage chest along with the paper.

"Hey! I need that. It's the last clean one I have left that doesn't have holes."

"You should have known better. Now you'll have to go barefoot. I'm sure they'll write an article about it and by next week every wizard on Diagon Alley will be walking barefoot. You should metamorph your toes into some hideous colour just to see."

"Give me a break. It's enough that Dean needs to needle me every minute of the day. I was trying to be serious."

"Whatever. You're famous; I'm not. I don't care. The important thing is that I am going to be best man at your wedding, right?"

"My wedding? What do you mean?"

"Look, if I have to go through this nightm-- this nuptial bliss with Hermione, you have to go through it with Gabriella."

"But--"

"No! You said you wanted me to be first. That means YOU are second!" Ron stepped over to his desk. "Let me see, I think I have a book of china patterns up here somewhere for you to read." Dean, wearing black dress robes, poked his head into the boys' dorm.

"Are you two coming, or what?"

"Harry can't find any clean socks."

"Are you kidding me?" exclaimed Dean. "There are nearly five hundred people waiting in the Great Hall. Harry, you're a god. Just go barefoot! I'm sure they'll write about it being the latest fashion in the Prophet. Next week all of London will be barefoot!"

Ron just howled as Harry's face reddened.

Graduation had come and gone at Hogwarts, but nearly all the seventh years and many other students and professors had stayed behind to help in the rebuilding of Hogsmeade. While all of the graduates were receiving offers of employment, Ron had refused to open any of the many owls that had come to him. The offers had arrived from various departments within the Ministry, from Gringotts, and a number of other businesses along Diagon Alley.

"I'm not getting a job somewhere just because someone's doing a favour for someone from my family," he had said. "I can do this on my own." Hermione had told him he was just being stubborn.

"Just because your father's Minister doesn't mean people don't want you for who you are and what you can accomplish!"

"I'm not going to work for my dad and that's the end of it!" he had declared emphatically.

Finally, two days before graduation, an owl dropped a black scroll on his morning scrambled hash. The surface of the scroll reflected the light like polished ebony. His hands trembled when he slipped off the golden thread holding it together. It opened itself, levitated above his head, and began to play the Magpies' theme song as it offered him a position on the team - second string Keeper. Everyone eating in the Great Hall erupted in cheers. He pressed his thumb in the lower right-hand corner and the parchment vanished in a flash of smoke, sealing the deal. That afternoon, his future now established, he set the date with Hermione and today, that day had come.

Ron wore scarlet red dress robes with gold trim. His best man and groomsmen wore dress black with a darker silk trim. Dean, who was one of those groomsmen, left Ron and Harry to tell the anxious crowd that the groom was coming.

"You know," said Harry after Dean left, "I saw Dean and Ginny down by the pier the other night holding hands."

"They're always holding hands... and more," said Ron, taking one last look at himself in the mirror. "Do you think the red's too much?"

"This time they were just talking." Ron turned.

"Talking? Talking talking?"

"Looked pretty serious," said Harry, replacing Ron's position by the mirror and straightening his tie. "Maybe it's all this talk about weddings." Ron thought about it for a moment and nodded his head.

"When the time comes, he wouldn't make a bad brother-in-law. Mom always liked him."

"She always liked Hermione too," said Harry knowingly. "She'd be real proud of you, Ron. What you've done. What you're about to do."

Ron nodded, looking down at his shoes. He wiped his eyes and looked back at Harry, who simply looked at Ron. Ron appeared a bit peaked. There was an interminable silence until Harry slapped his hands together.

"Well, ready?"

"Not yet. Do you have the rings?"

"Yes."

"And you've double checked the arrangements with Sirius?"

"Yes."

"Hermione doesn't know?"

"No."

"And the band--"

"Yes. No. And YES!" Harry turned Ron toward the door. Now let's go."

When they made their way out onto the circular staircase there was a small round of cheers and clapping. George, Fred, Draco and Hermione's cousin, Ralph, made up the rest of Ron's groomsmen and they were still standing by the fire in the Gryffindor common room. Harry and Ron continued down the circular staircase listening to the sounds of laughter and snickering.

"Not again," hissed Draco. He tried to look serious but smiled at Fred and chortled.

"Just one more time!" Fred pleaded. "Come on, one more. Please." Draco rolled his eyes and then allowed his fangs to extend down near his chin.

"Wicked!" said Fred taking his finger and touching the point of one of Draco's extended canines. He accidently pricked his finger and a small drip of blood appeared on the tip which Draco quickly lapped up before Fred pulled his hand away. Fred, didn't seem to notice, or care. He sighed and slumped his shoulders. "You know, when I turn, being a werewolf and all, mine only get about--"

"Would you two just stop," said George indignantly. "You are not going to transform during the wedding! Can you imagine the hysteria?"

"Shhhhhh!"

"WHAT!" yelled Ron. George stepped toward Ron apologetically.

"Fred's been working with Draco and has now discovered how to transform himself into a werewolf on command," he said followed with a great sigh.

"Not all the way yet" said Fred a bit disappointed.

"You're getting close," offered Draco in encouragement.

"Well, if I really want to down the buffet at the reception in a hurry, I can--"

"You wouldn't dare!" yelled Ron, his face turning nearly as scarlet as his robes. "You will not... I'll... I'll kill you! I swear--"

They all began to break out laughing. Tears running down his face, Draco put his arm about Fred's shoulder and said, "I told you he'd buy it."

Fred reciprocated and said, "I always took you for a tight-ass prick, Malfoy, but that was pretty good!" They walked to the front door and pushed the portrait of the Fat Lady open. Draco muttered something as they went through and they both continued laughing down the corridor. Ron looked at George, hoping to get a straight answer.

"They're not really going to do it, right George?" Ron's brother laughed again.

"If they do, I'll bet you're name finally makes it into the Prophet. Come on Ralph; let's make sure they make it all the way to the Great Hall. I'm not sure leaving them unattended is such a great idea." Ralph looked almost more pale than Ron.

"Erm... they're not gonna bite or anything... are they?"

"I don't think Draco will, but Fred's always putting his mouth where it doesn't belong." He took Ralph by the shoulders and escorted him through the front door. "Just keep your hands in your pockets." He stopped and winked back at his little brother.

"One last look at freedom, Ronnykins, and then it's off to your doom! Let's be quick about it. The Muggles are getting restless."

"Muggles?" asked Ralph.

"Muggles are..." began George and they disappeared down the corridor.

Instead of following after them, Ron stepped back, away from the entrance. He started breathing heavily and then buckled over, placing his hands on his knees. Harry offered his support and stepped him over to the couch by the fireplace.

"Ron? Come on, what's wrong?" Ron just stared at the fireplace and then began to speak.

"I can't stand this room, not anymore." He drew in another breath. "It was in here, you know... when he took over me."

"I know," said Harry, worried that this was about the worst time to bring up what would certainly be Ron's worst memory, a memory he would carry with him for the rest of his life. Harry's own thoughts turned to Molly Weasley and James at the Ministry. Ron and Harry had both been Voldemort's victims and that pain would not ever go away.

"It was within my reach. I should have known before you and Gabriella left the Marauder's Eye. All I needed to do was to reach out and see."

"We've been over this," said Harry gently. "It's not your fault."

"You said it upstairs. I had him on his knees. Why couldn't I--"

"Snape poisoned himself. He was weak."

"In McGonagall's office, I was able to keep him from killing her. I should have stopped him from... from..."

"You and Hermione squared everything at the lake... at the falls. She's forgiven you for that."

"Why? She shouldn't," snapped Ron, rising to his feet. "I'm about to be a father for something I could only... only watch happening. And I don't know... we don't know if... if the baby will be--"

"A demon child?" Harry asked, smiling. "With red hair?"

"I'M SERIOUS!"

"You saw with your own eyes what Tom Riddle did. The white robes were everything that was pure and good about him. Patrick explained that he took away whatever stain was there. You're child will not be Voldemort! It may not have been conceived in love, but it'll be born in love. It'll be a bushy haired, red-head that'll do some sort of wizard study on the flight dynamics of Quidditch brooms. The kid will be insufferable and adorable all at the same time. But he'll hate his parents because they'll look at him, all his life, as if he's about to turn into Beelzebub. The only thing worse would be to grow up with only one parent because your mom got pissed at your dad for being late to their wedding! Now let's go!"

Ron nodded, rubbed his eyes with both hands and let out a long breath. He started through the portrait of the Fat Lady and stopped, taking one last look at the Gryffindor Common room as a free man.

"This is it, Harry. It'll never be the same again."

"Ron, we've been here for seven years and after each year we say the same thing. You're right; it'll never be the same. Isn't it wonderful? Each new day brings a new adventure. The village of Terntalag is springing forth from the soil of the Forbidden Forest. Maybe, one day, it will be possible to have an actual conversation with a Centaur! The town of Hogsmeade will be built anew - a town for wizard and goblin, house elf and even the occasional giant. Can you imagine the realization of true brotherly love? The heavens about Mars still burn celestial fire, glowing even during the day. Sinistra is beside herself wondering what will happen next. Hogwarts has a new Headmaster, the only wizard to escape from Azkaban on his own. What will life here be under the guidance of a convicted murderer and without Dumbledore's lemon drops?

"In a few weeks I get to see Jamie without distraction or interruption. We'll play by the sea, we'll build a sandcastle on the beach and I'll teach him how to fly. I can't wait to get to know my son better, to watch him grow and to, one day, come to Hogwarts. Both our kids will be here, Ron. Jamie will be in Gryffindor of course. Your kid, sadly, will be in Slytherin because he'll have decided to take over the world by then." Smiling, he shoved Ron through the door and the two began to walk down the corridor.

"One sock?" a voice asked from behind? Harry turned to look at the Fat Lady as her portrait swung shut. "Not truly suited for the occasion, Harry. You are best man after all. I would have expected better."

"What, this?" Harry asked, raising the right side of his dress robes to reveal that he was wearing two shoes, but only one sock. "Oh, I think it's fitting, more suited for the occasion than you know, Wilhelmenia." He winked as the Fat Lady gasped, holding her hand over her mouth, and he and Ron continued on their way down the staircases to the Great Hall and the wedding below.

"I didn't know she had a name," said Ron as they waited for the staircases to move into position.

"She wasn't painted with one, but she let it slip to Sir Cadogan that she fancied Wilhemenia. She's been guarding the door of Gryffindor for fifty years. It seems only right she be given a proper name. Ginny'll see it sticks."

Before the last staircase slipped into position, the voices of the crowd below could be heard. Ron looked over the railing. There were a number of wizards dressed in their finest, glancing up to see if he was coming. Percy was there and he looked pissed, but he always looked that way.

"You do know that the Minister is a very busy person, don't you?" he called up at them.

"You're not talking about Dad, are you?" said Ron sarcastically. "Don't worry, Percy. Pretty soon it won't matter. Didn't you hear? Harry's taking over the Ministry. It was in the Prophet, so it must be true."

Percy growled. "Just hurry!"

"Just bugger off!"

Percy stomped away.

Enduring a myriad of slaps and offers of congratulations, Ron and Harry had to make their way through a crowd that was standing outside the Great Hall. At the entrance the groomsmen and bridesmaids were gathered together. Draco was adjusting Fred's tie. Dean and Ginny were quickly re-lacing the back of Lavender's dress. Hermione's cousin, Betty, huddled next to her brother Ralph. They were both staring at Luna, who was holding an oddly shaped instrument made of brass that hung from her nose. She kept tapping it with a clang, saying it would bring fortune to the couple getting married. Gabriella briskly walked out to meet Ron and Harry. She was smiling, but Harry knew by the look in her eyes that the fangs were hiding just below the surface, ready to erupt.

"Where's Hermione?" asked Ron, looking around.

"That's what we've been asking about you for the last half hour!" Gabriella hissed under her breath. "You, on the other hand, are not to see the bride until she walks down the aisle." Gabriella growled, or at least it sounded like it. "Do you know she actually believed you were going to leave her? Cho's back there right now, telling her everything will be fine!"

"We were having problems with his robes, that's all," said Harry smoothly. "You know I'm not good with stitching. Does Hermione know he's here now?"

"Yes, but you'll have to give me and Cho a minute to help her get ready. Her eyes have reddened a bit."

Gabriella huddled briefly with the girls and Harry gathered the groomsmen.

"It's set, right?" he asked. "I know it was a hell of a party last night, but I need to be sure your heads are clear on this one. If it's not perfect, it won't work. And if it doesn't work, we'll have ruined the wedding. Everyone knows what to say?"

"Merlin, Harry!" said Dean. "We know already."

"Then let's get started," said Harry with excitement. He raised his wand and a chime sounded. "Just like in rehearsal. Well, almost. Ron, it's time to head to the front with your father. We'll take care of business here and see you and the minister up front before you can say, 'I do.' The rings are right here." Harry tapped the breast pocket of his dress robes. There was a bit of perspiration beading on Ron's brow. "You'll do great!" said Harry, giving him a hug. "Now go on." Ron hesitated only a moment, nodded at Harry without saying a word, and made his way toward Arthur Weasley who was trying to be polite to everyone shaking his hand as he nervously glanced about for Ron.

"Merlin," said Draco, rolling his eyes. "Are you sure you two aren't the ones that should be getting married?"

"Shut up," whispered Harry. He watched as Mr. Weasley caught sight of his son. He froze, seeing Ron dressed in his scarlet robes, and his eyes began to glisten. They hugged and with his arm around his son, Mr. Weasley walked him to the front altar that had been set up where the professor's tables usually were. The moment had not been so emotional the night before, but they weren't all dressed to the nines and there weren't hundreds of people crowding about, and this time there was no turning back.

Suddenly, the entranceway began to fill with the sound of pops. A few people squealed as dozens of house elves began to appear; each was wearing a dreary smock representative of the type of work they did about the castle. Gabriella had tried to get them to wear something clean, but the effort was hopeless. They didn't own anything clean and wouldn't accept clothes to look proper. Still, their participation in the ceremony was vital. They stretched out in two long lines that went from the Great Hall, down the corridor, all the way to the castle's front entrance. The first at Harry's side was Dobby.

"We are ready, Harry Potter, sir!" he said with excitement.

"Did you get everyone?" asked Harry under his breath.

"Every servant of Hogwarts is here attending the wedding. Some are nervous to be out of the kitchens. Some have never been in the presence of wizards, but it is the Headmaster's wish and so it will be. It is a grand occasion."

"Very good. Remember what we talked about, Dobby? Sirius is presenting you each with swords for your bravery in the recent battle." Dobby stepped up on a nearby chair so everyone could see him.

"Yes, Harry Potter, sir. The house elves are all aware of the Headmaster's kindness," Dobby said loudly, so each of the many house elves gathered could hear. "And since the swords are... not... clothes..., we can accept them graciously... in front of all these wizards."

Dobby's words were, perhaps, a bit mechanical. One might even say they sounded rehearsed, but the other house elves nodded in agreement and they began to line up as the groomsmen handed them each a small sword and scabbard, while reciting a brief incantation.

From the hand of the Headmaster, Sirius Black,

we present this sword, but not to attack.

Remove the scabbard and raise the point high,

to celebrate love as the couple comes nigh.

And when they walk past, both pieces you'll own

for the bravery, wisdom and love you have shown.

"Do you accept this gift?" they would ask and to a house elf all said, "Yes."

Each house elf kept the sword sheathed at their sides, waiting for the end of the ceremony when Ron and Hermione would step from the Great Hall and outside for the reception being held on the castle grounds. By the time each house elf had received their gift, Cho and Gabriella had returned.

"Is she ready?" Harry asked, kissing Gabriella on the cheek.

"Don't be silly," she replied. "Would we be here if she weren't?" Cho stepped over and hugged Harry.

"When I told her Ron had arrived, the light returned to her eyes. I've never seen anyone more filled with joy."

"Her father, however," added Gabriella, "is a bit of a wreck. I've asked Parvati to keep an eye on him in case he starts to pass out or something dreadful like that."

"Luna is going to take that thing out of her nose before she walks to the altar, right?"

"Just get on with it. I'm starting to get hungry."

"You sound like Ron." Harry raised his wand again and a second chime sounded. Music began to play and the groomsmen and bridesmaids lined up arm-in-arm and started down the aisle toward Ron, who was standing alone by the Minister. Harry, the best man, walked with Ginny, the maid of honour. Gabriella paired off with Draco, Dean with Lavender, Fred with Luna, Ralph with Betty. Last of the weeding party were George and Cho who while walking arm in arm were walking quite close together. Harry shook hands with Ron as he came to stand next to him as did all the other groomsmen as they passed. His hands were wet, but Harry resisted the temptation to wipe his own hands on the front of his robes before everyone gathered.

Standing up at the front, looking out over the sea of people, Harry had the opportunity to take in what an enormous crowd it was. There were visiting dignitaries near the front on Ron's side. Hermione's mother sat with Sirius on Hermione's side along with a handful of other family members and the vast majority of the students. Ron's family, brother's cousins, aunts and uncles stretched out in a swath of red hair. Cormack McLeod,

Manager of the Montrose Magpies, was seated near the back.

At the very front, directly across from Cho, was Professor McGonagall, holding little Jamie. He seemed quite content, particularly after his mother entered, though he was less focussed on her and more interested in the swirling glow of fire represented on the ceiling of the Great Hall.

Once Ralph and Betty were in position, the music stopped and there was a moment of silence. All heads turned toward the back and, as the Wedding March sounded, everyone stood. In the back of the Great Hall, Hermione Granger came forward. Golden butterflies appeared and began to flutter about just in front of her as she stepped forward. Rose petals emerged in the air through which they flew, and fell softly into the aisle before her.

She wore the same white wedding gown that her mother had worn when she married Hermione's father. Clearly made by hand, it was inlaid with white crocheted flowers and the occasional jewelled stud. It was simple, but beautiful. Lavender had worked tirelessly to keep that sensibility, while giving it a more modern look. The dress fell slightly away from the shoulders and the lace was less flowery and more sheer, creating something slightly sensual. Hermione added a few magical touches of her own. The threads glistened iridescent and shimmered, emitting their own light. The train was lengthened and trailed behind her never touching the ground. Harry also noticed that she must have been wearing some sort of enchanted perfume, because every young man she passed swooned as she walked by. Her face was glowing and he couldn't imagine that she had ever doubted for a moment that Ron would be here by her side. For his part, Harry was always confident that, whatever trials they had faced, Ron would be standing right where he now was. His best friend may have been hesitant earlier, but those were just jitters. Since the day Hermione told him to clean the smudge off his nose, they were destined to be together.

Ron just stood awestruck at her beauty. As she approached the altar, Harry had to give him a little nudge, reminding him to step out and take her hand. The soon to be newlyweds were both nervous as they faced the minister.

Reverend Chalmers had been a part of the Weasley family for over five decades. He'd married Molly and Arthur, had overseen the baptism of every one of their children, had presided over his mother's funeral and now was marrying the first Weasley child. His mind was sharp, his blue eyes keen and he spoke with a compassion and authority that was sadly missing in the Wizarding world.

As the couple began to exchange vows Harry could feel their energy and the power of their love radiate outward. It was so intense that the Heart of Asha began to reradiate its collected power throughout the Great Hall without Harry even trying. The spirits of those that had lost homes and loved ones in the recent battle began to heal. Harry was so astonished at what was happening that Draco had to poke him from behind.

"Harry," he whispered. Harry turned with a questioning look.

Huh?"

"The rings," he hissed under his breath. Harry turned back to see Reverend Chalmers, Ron and Hermione all looking at him.

"The rings?" kindly asked Reverend Chalmers again. Caught off guard, Harry momentarily forgot which pocket he'd put them in.

"Erm... rings...," he muttered, patting each of his pockets. "Yeah... er... right... here." His hand slapped the small circles of gold in his breast pocket. He pulled them out and laid them in the flat palm of his left hand and held his right hand just over them. "A blessing from Asha," he said softly and fire erupted between his palms. The rings glowed white and then cooled. Harry then handed them to the minister who placed them on a small red velvet pillow. He held his wand over the rings and said a small prayer.

With final words, the couple slipped the rings on each other's fingers. Holding hands, they raised them toward Reverend Chalmers who sealed their bond with his wand.

"You may kiss the bride," he said joyfully.

Ron and Hermione kissed and the walls of the Great Hall reverberated with the cheers and clapping. A few tears slipped down Hermione's cheeks.

"This is the most wonderful day of my life," she said, kissing Ron again.

"Bloody spectacular," whispered Ron as he got lost in her eyes, but then his own eyes twinkled. "But, there's more to be had," he said, smiling and looking back at Harry. "I've arranged a little present for you."

"What? What is it?"

"You'll see in just a moment."

House elves moved into position, lining both sides of the aisle, swords at their sides, their dreary clothes in stark contrast to the richness and glitter of the clothes being worn around them. As Ron and Hermione moved down the steps from the altar, the first pair of house elves unsheathed their swords and held the points high. They then levitated until the two elves could bring their swords up and over Ron and Hermione's heads, forming a sabre arch. The next pair unsheathed their swords and repeated the process until at last a tunnel was formed through which Ron, Hermione and the rest of the wedding party passed. Family members passed next and the house elves continued to hold the swords high until Professor Black exited with Hermione's parents.

He met Ron and Hermione at the front doors to the castle and turned back to the house elves who had now dropped back to the ground, but still maintained their formation through which all the guests were about to pass. Dobby was at his side.

"My dear house elves," said Sirius, his voice sounding throughout the castle. Everyone stopped where they were and listened. "For over a century you have served this castle and its Headmasters faithfully and have presented your talents with a skill that sets the standard by which all others dare to compare. Throughout this last year, Mr. Ron Weasley has been gathering socks from the residents of Hogwarts. It was part of a plan he first devised with the help of Professor Dumbledore quite some time ago. The socks, once owned by those living at Hogwarts, were then passed to me as the school's Headmaster. Few knew of their precious value. Their collective travels represent a comprehensive sampling of Hogwarts grounds and of the many magics that exist here. They are, as are all of our students, imbued with the essence of all that is Hogwarts.

"Three years ago, Hermione Gr- Weasley began an organization she called the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. Professor Dumbledore thought it then a noble idea whose time had not yet come. Today that changes. Just before the afternoon's service, having received the last sock donated by are own Harry Potter, I enchanted the socks sealing them with the magics they have collected in their travels about this school. I transformed them slightly to better fit the swords you now hold high. They are the scabbards you carry in your left hands, the scabbards that you have sworn an oath to keep, the scabbards that are indeed simply clothes that now set you free."

Sirius waved his wand, removing the befuddlement charm and the true nature of the socks became evident. While many remained black, many more were coloured, or striped, or polkadotted.

Everyone gasped at what this represented. Some of the house elves tried to drop the socks, but they stuck to their hands like they were charged with massive static cling. They began to approach Sirius and the looks on their faces demonstrated that they were anything but happy. Sirius held up his hands and smiled kindly.

"I am not asking you to leave," he said loudly. "In fact, I ask that you all stay. Stay to help Hogwarts become an even better school. Help me, as has Dobby, show all wizards the wisdom, the strength, and the kindness of house elves everywhere. You demonstrated your bravery on the battlefield, now demonstrate that bravery by facing freedom head on!"

Hermione looked up at Ron as she squeezed his hand. "All year?" she asked. "You were planning this even before... before..."

"Before I asked you to marry me? You're bloody damn right I was," he said with a bit of a cocky smirk on his face. "And I didn't deserve that trouncing when we were heading to Greece! Dumbledore said I needed to keep them with me as long as I could. It was like simmering a stew. If it was going to work, it needed to take time. That's why you couldn't just go leaving socks lying about and hope they'd take one."

Lespty, one of the oldest of the house elves stepped up to Sirius and bowed low. For over five decades his sole responsibility had been the care and maintenance of the astronomy tower.

"The times of change are upon us all and house elves are no exception. Creatures about the world are learning that it is a much smaller place than we once thought. If we don't take up the opportunity that Harry Potter has presented, we may never see it again. If Lespty were younger, Lepsty would travel to see the giants and learn their ways, but Lepsty is old and adventures are best left to the young. If you will have Lepsty, Headmaster Black, Lepsty will stay at Hogwarts." Sirius knelt low and wrapped his arms about the aged house elf.

"It would be my honour, Lespty."

Following their elder, each house elf stepped forward and presented their case for staying at Hogwarts. Sirius accepted them all, but reminded them that they were free to leave at any time and that they would receive pay and be asked to wear more proper clothing. He waved his wand and the dirty smocks that each of the house elves wore was replaced with one of silver that accented the wedding colours perfectly. Dobby was so excited he wept and blew his nose into his. Hermione hugged him and then she reached up and hugged Ron.

"I can't believe you did this for me," she said, barely able to control her tears. "All year?"

"Not even I knew," said Harry as he walked past with Gabriella. "I thought he was just a nutter, but... he's my best friend. What was I gonna say?"

Harry and Gabriella hugged them both and continued outside and down the entrance stairs to the castle toward the front lawn facing the lake below where chairs and tables had been set up for the reception. He was about to conjure some tablecloths when they suddenly appeared.

"The house elves didn't take much time off; did they?" said Gabriella, sitting at the head table. People were filing out of the castle, hugging Ron and Hermione as they went. "Are you sure you don't want to be in the receiving line?" she asked.

"Like we agreed," he said. "It's their day." He leaned back in the sun and looked up at the sky with both hands tucked behind his head. There was still an iridescent glow that kept the sky looking as if it were on fire. He wondered if the remnants of Ebyrth would hang in the sky forever. Professor Sinistra had said that the gasses were collapsing, pulling in toward each other, but they covered so much of the sky it was difficult to tell. "Have I ever told you that I loved you?" he said looking at the sky.

"Why yes," said a deep voice, "but only in your sleep."

Draco pushed Harry upright and slipped behind him to sit on the other side of Gabriella. Fred was with him, but he instead chose to pace about.

"Lots of talk about brotherly love," said Fred with a bit of irritation in his voice, "but not too many people were interested in shaking the hand of a werewolf."

"Or a vampire," added Draco.

"That's not right," said Gabriella. "Where's Remus? I saw him with Mama during the ceremony."

"They slipped upstairs the moment they had a chance," said Draco, suggestively raising and lowering his eyebrows.

"Draco!" chided Gabriella.

"I don't think you need to worry, Gab," said Fred. "Dad went with them."

"Oooh, even more interesting," said Draco, smiling at Fred who couldn't help but laugh.

"Stop! I don't even want to picture it!"

Before long, they were surrounded by people. Ron and Hermione had joined them for the meal and then there was music and dancing and cake and the throwing of the bouquet, which Ginny caught causing Dean to turn red, if that were possible. It was, in every aspect a perfect day.

The day drew on and the sun began to set. Many of the guests had departed, but quite a few remained. Nearly all the wedding party stayed with the exception of Cho, who was escorted home by George. Harry was dancing a slow dance with Gabriella, but was barely able to stay awake.

"I overheard someone talking about how you wore just one sock to show your support for house elf freedom,' she said with a smile. "I must have seen two dozen wizards today with just one sock. You've started a movement and it was Ron's idea." He sighed.

"It'll make the papers tomorrow, I'm sure," he muttered. His head was on her shoulder and he kept nodding off. The third time she told him to wake up he had to vanish the drool off her dress with the wave of his hand, hoping she wouldn't notice. Suddenly she stopped dancing and poked him in the ribs to turn around.

"Harry?"

It was the voice of Mr. Weasley. He hadn't spoken to Harry since he awarded him the Order of Merlin and the ceremony was so frenzied they barely had a moment to shake hands let alone chat before Arthur, as Minister, was hauled away for other business. He was flanked by Remus and Soseh who had worn their finest to the wedding. Their faces were beaming, so much so in fact that Harry wondered if maybe Remus had hit the fire whiskey a few too many times. Joining them was Antreas who wore the white robes of the Votary, which seemed a bit overkill for this late in the day. Remus and Soseh were holding hands, dispelling any doubt that they were together.

"Minister," said Harry, holding out his hand. Arthur Weasley took the hand and pulled Harry close.

"Harry," he whispered in his ear. "Minister? Really? Never again, at least not to my face. Is that clear? You'll call me Arthur, okay?" Smiling warmly, Arthur pulled back to look Harry in the eyes. "Okay?"

"Okay," said Harry happily. There was a camera flash from somewhere. Clearly Colin was about.

"We would have taken you in as a Weasley, if we could have, Molly and me. We talked about it often. You were and are always welcome. You know that don't you?" Harry nodded and Arthur's eyes smiled. "Particularly now that we have a free bedroom upstairs."

"Ron!" he called out to his son, who was dancing, oddly, with Dobby, clearly a side effect of too many toasts. "You do intend to move out, right?"

"Erm... yeah," said Ron, nodding his head, but realizing that he and Hermione didn't really have any other place to stay. He considered asking Hermione's father, thinking that Fred should come live with them since her parents really hadn't had a chance to properly get to know a werewolf. Fortunately, the drinks had clouded his thinking a bit and he stopped worrying about it almost immediately. "Come on, Dobby. Let's try a tango!"

"There is a favour I have to ask of you, Harry," said Arthur. Almost instantly, Harry's mistrust of everything ministerial flared and the protective walls came up.

"Yes?" he asked sceptically.

"Can you find Patrick and bring him here. We haven't been able to find him." It was a bit anticlimactic, certainly not the type of question Harry expected.

"Well, I saw him and James with a couple Ravenclaw students down at the lake just a while ago. Severus was showing them how to catch Grindylows. Let me take a look." With the speed of a Centaur, Harry ran to the lake, told Patrick the Minister wanted him at the castle, told James he'd caught a fine fat Grindylow, and had returned before Arthur Weasley had had a chance to finish his sentence. "He's on his way," Harry said.

A few minutes later, Patrick came running, huffing hard, up the hill. Soseh had stood watch, waiting for him to arrive. When she saw him, she shuddered slightly, bringing her hand to her mouth.

"He reminds me so much of Dakhil... back in the old days." She had been told what had happened in Singehorn's Eye, but very few others had. Harry didn't want anyone to know that Patrick had a bit of Tom Riddle in him. No matter how good that part of Tom was, no one would believe that anything but hate could have existed. If they weren't careful, Patrick would be accused of being Voldemort. Having vampire blood run through his veins was bad enough.

When Patrick arrived, Soseh gave him a grand hug. They had visited and chatted often after the battle and during the reconstruction of Hogsmeade. They had grown quite close over the last few weeks. Gabriella had said it was because her mother wanted to stay, in some way, connected to Dakhil, but Harry thought that there was something more at play. Even now, Soseh's emotions were, for some reason, getting the better of her.

"Minister," said Patrick, holding out his hand. "Harry says yeh wanted teh see me?"

"Yes, Patrick," said Arthur, returning the handshake. "I have something rather important to ask you." He put his hand on Patrick's shoulder. "Soseh and Remus have asked to be your parents. They want to adopt you." Patrick's eyes widened. A part of him wanted to leap out of his skin with joy, but another part held him back, wondering if it were really true.

"Soseh and Remus?" he asked. "But... but they're not married. How does that work?"

"We took care of that little detail just a few minutes ago," said Arthur. Gabriella let out a yelp, covering her own mouth. Her eyes jumped out at her mother's, but Soseh, shyly looked away. "They are now Mr. and Mrs. Lupin, and--"

"and more than anything," interrupted Remus, dropping to one knee in front of Patrick. "More than all the stars in heaven, we want you to be our son."

"The choice is yours, Patrick," said Arthur, already seeing on Patrick's face that the choice had been made. "Antreas and Gabriella will be your older siblings, but you may want to consider it would mean having Harry as a brother-in-law."

"I knew it!" yelled Patrick with joy and he wrapped his arms about Remus' neck. "I knew it! I knew it!" Soseh stepped over.

"Is that a yes?" she asked gently. Patrick let go of Remus and hugged them both.

"Yes! A thousand times yes!"

A small group that had clustered about to see what was going on began to clap and cheer. Gabriella looked at her brother and suddenly realized why he had dressed so well to watch the wedding. He had gone to two weddings today.

"You knew!" she hissed, pointing her finger at her brother. "You knew and you didn't tell me." She stepped toward him.

"You didn't tell me you were getting married," he said smiling, but backing away from his sister. "Besides, they needed a witness and I'm the oldest."

"Oldest! What does that have to do with anything?"

"Mama asked--"

"Stop it!" snapped Soseh. "Come here and hug your brother!"

Gabriella stopped advancing on Antreas. She bit her lip, smiled and, together with her brother, went over to hug Patrick.

"You too, Harry!" said Soseh. "You're family." Harry obliged.

When he joined them all, it was hard to imagine ever being alone. He was surrounded by family. "The Lupins," he whispered out loud, holding his hands out wide. Beyond that there were the Weasleys and the Changs. There was Macleta and Felspar and Ronan whom he held dear. And soon he would travel to the Carpathians to preside over the ceremony marking the passing of Singehorn. The dragons and Votary represented an even larger family and a grand mission remained before them.

At last it was Patrick that broke the hug and turned to look directly at Harry. His eyes were concerned as if something quite troublesome had just occurred to him.

"Harry, this doesn't mean the deal's over, just because I'm not an orphan anymore, right? We said teh the end - I'll watch your back, and you'll watch mine. We'll still stick together, won't we?" Harry smiled warmly and put both hands upon Patrick's shoulders.

"We have a new deal now, Patrick. We're bound as brothers by the blood of dragons and nothing in the world will ever change that. Now we can't just watch each other's backs, we have to search out and find all those who are in need. It is a new calling, a greater calling, but we'll do it together."

The marks on both their arms seemed to shimmer slightly and a knowing expression passed over Patrick's face. He nodded as all apprehension disappeared and they shook hands in the manner of the Votary, true brothers till the end.