Harry Potter and The Heirs of The Founders

Chapter Ten

Nuptials

My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away." - Song of Solomon 2:10-13

You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride, you have ravished my heart with a glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How sweet is your love, my sister, my bride! how much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice! - Song of Solomon 4:9-10

This is my beloved and this is my friend -- Song of Solomon 5:16

Saturday morning dawned on everybody quicker than expected. Lily was unsure what time Harry would be arriving, but knew that it would probably be early in the morning sometime. After all it wouldn't take them long to apparate to Hogsmeade and then walk up to the castle. She was pacing up and down the Black's sitting room. She wasn't sure when she was going to spring James on him, she couldn't really think of an appropriate time to do so. Lily glanced at the sofa on which Harry's outfit had been placed. She wondered what he would think of it when he saw it. Harry had worn the Lamont tartan for Sirius' wedding, but this time he would wear his own. His grandmother, James mother had been very insistent of it on her deathbed. Whatever else she had been Mary MacTavish was a very strong minded woman. And although Lily didn't entirely go for tradition to the extent that James' family had, she had felt compelled to promise Mary that her grandson would be married in tartan. So she had located the red, green and blue tartan that James had worn on their wedding day and the one that James' father William had worn. Tears had welled in her eyes when she had found them, they seemed to symbolise the time before her family was torn apart. Glancing at them again she figured they should fit between the two of them. William's should fit James and James' should fit Harry. Lily was certainly having to get used to how scrawny James was, but that must be what happens when you eat nothing but grass and plants for seventeen years. She had also managed to locate one for Ron to wear.

James entered the room throwing off the cloak he had been using to cover himself while walking between their rooms and the Black's. He immediately walked over and embraced Lily.

'How're you doing?' she asked him.

'I've finished reading the last lot that Chrys gave me,' he said. 'Do women honestly believe you can learn everything from books?' Lily knew from the tone in his voice that he was only joking, but she didn't find it funny. 'I think I'm caught up. I just can't believe I don't know my own son at all. And today he's getting married and I haven't seen him for almost seventeen years. Tell me about him again.'

James had requested this several times and Lily continued to oblige him.

'Well he looks like you,' she began. 'He has my eyes though. He has a scar on his forehead, like a lightening bolt from that fateful night. He's a bit better built than you are. But then you've lost weight over the past seventeen years.' She kissed him on the neck. 'He's very intelligent. He doesn't let things pass him by unnoticed.' He returned her affections. 'He's a fantastic Quidditch player, he's a Seeker, and in fact he was the youngest Seeker in 100 years or so for Gryffindor. He began playing in his first year at Hogwarts and has recently been drafted for PuddlemereUnited. He caught the Snitch in five seconds in the opening game of the European Cup.' James' affections became more intense. 'He's kind and caring. He's incredibly loyal to his friends and family, excepting the Dursley's of course. But then they didn't exactly treat him very well.'

'Mum?' Harry called when he walked in the room. Lily was thankful that her clothes were still on. Harry mustn't be able to see James. Lily realised that he would only be able to see his back. Having not told James where Harry was, Lily realised that he wouldn't be able to see or hear them.

'Hold on a minute,' she said softly to James.

'Harry Revelo!' James turned around instantly.

'Dad?' Harry asked with his jaw dropping to the ground. 'Is that really you?'

'Harry?' James said at the exact same moment. 'That's Harry?' It was almost mayhem for a couple of minutes while Lily explained that it was in fact James and Harry. Both men found the likeness astonishing. Harry was better built and perhaps a little taller, but the real main difference between the two men were their eyes and of course Harry's world famous scar.

Lily didn't know what she had expected when she brought the two men in her life together but she was certainly prepared for awkwardness. Instead there was none, Lily stared in disbelief as she watched tears form in both their eyes.

'I can't believe you found him,' Harry said, his heart pounding. 'Finally after all this not knowing, you've brought him to me today of all days.' Harry walked over and embraced his father. 'Thank you for never giving up hope and trying every possible charm to protect yourself. This way I get to know you.'

'Well I have to help the lovely lady Hermione get ready,' Lily said. 'I'd best be going. By the way Harry, this is your wedding present from Rose.'

'Rose?' he asked. James explained how Rose had found him as Lily left to help Hermione prepare. Harry began to feel a little nervous about being left alone in the room with someone he barely knew and with so much expectation upon him at the same time.

'I'm sorry Harry,' James finally said at last. 'I know this is awkward and strange. We don't know each other anymore and I've missed so much of your life. I'm going to make a strange request of you that until this week I would never have dreamt of asking.'

'Okay,' Harry said hesitantly, intrigued by what this request would be. He was still getting used to the idea that his father was in the room.

'I'm giving you a Pensieve as an engagement gift,' he said. 'Normally I wouldn't dream ofasking this, but Chryssy guided me through her Pensieve and it made a difference than just telling me what had happened. My request is that you put some memories in there, a good selection of your life, both the good and bad so I can understand what you have been through while I've been away. Rose has agreed to do the same. I've wiped the Pensieves. They have been in the family for quite a while. I'll understand if you don't agree.'

Harry looked as if he were contemplating the thought.

'You want both good and bad?' he asked. James nodded. 'I can do that.'

'Thank you,' he said. 'You have no idea how much.'

On that note James pulled out the tartan kilt.

'This is ours,' he said with pride. 'My mother was Mary MacTavish. The MacTavish's belong to the Fraser Clan. This is the Fraser tartan. Wear it with pride. My mother wanted you to wear this on your wedding day. In fact, she made Lily promise you would when she was on her deathbed.'

Harry was overwhelmed. He knew the ring had been his grandmother's as well. Suddenly Harry had the huge sense of family responsibility that he had never felt before. A year earlier he had had no family except the Dursleys. No his family was coming alive to him. And it was strange and uncanny. Yet it was the most fantastic feeling in his life.

'Thank you,' Harry said. He meant it. He was extremely grateful. 'The Dursley'saren't coming are they?'

James laughed.

'Well I daresay that Petunia was invited, only because Lily insisted,' he began. 'She was always like that with Petunia, and left it up to Petunia to say no. Dudley was invited as well but I know what Vernon's response on the subject will be, so I am quite unsure as to whether they will come, but if they do I'm sure they'll be on their best behaviour.' Harry had to stifle a giggle. The thought of the Dursley's on their best behaviour was a strange one.

'Another thing Harry,' James said. 'When you and Hermione return to hiding tonight we were wondering if perhaps you might remain at Hogwarts. There's a hidden room that as far as I am aware only Lily and I know about. Lily has prepared it for you. It's just easier in case we need to get to you, or in case anything should happen to Lily and we need to quickly recast the Fidelius using someone else. Have a think about it. Talk it through with Hermione and let your mother know.'

There was a knock on the door. Harry moved to open it and found Ron standing there with Charlie. Lily must have already removed the Fidelius.

'Ron,' Harry moved to shake hands with his friend. 'It's so good to see you. Are you okay after last night?' Harry whispered the question into his friend's ear.

'Fine Harry,' he said, although Ron was starring at James Potter with a look that suggested he was wondering whether or not he was hallucinating.

James broke the silence.

'I take it you are Ron Weasley,' he said. 'I'm James Potter, Harry's father.'

'I wasn't expecting you to be here today,' Ron stammered. It was obvious to Harry that he was astounded. 'I hadn't realised that you had been found.'

It took Harry a couple of seconds to realise that Ron's nervousness stemmed from the fact that this was Rose's father not Harry's.

'Rose has told me a lot about you Ron,' he said again appearing to be eyeing him up and down. Harry wondered if he had done this to Hermione. 'You seem well presented, if a little nervous.' James picked up a kilt and threw it at him. 'I hear you're a Keeper for the Chudley Cannons. I hope they have a better run this year than they have in the past.' James chuckled and Harry could see Ron relaxing slightly.

'Um, Mr Potter,' Ron said. 'How do I put this on?'

'Call me James,' he replied. 'I'll show you.' James took hold of the kilt and began to demonstrate.

Harry was silently relieved at his father's casual manner. It made it easier to get to know him and to try and break the ice of seventeen years.

*~*

Hermione tried not to show anyone how nervous she was. She was waiting in Lily and James' room for Lily to return with her mother. Hermione was insistent that her mother would be there to help her get ready. She had no idea what her mother's reaction would be. And it wasn't that her mother's opinion would change her actions, it was just that she wanted her mother to be happy for her. Chrystal, Rose and Ginny were there trying to offer her advice, but they weren't really helping to calm her nerves.

'Honestly Hermione,' Chrystal said eventually. 'This should be one of the happiest days of your life. You're marrying the man who you have loved for years and he loves you. What could be better? If you don't relax and enjoy it, you'll regret it later.'

It took Hermione a while to realise that there was some truth in what Chrystal was saying, although Hermione was still worried about her mother. In fact she was more worried about what her mother's reaction to all of this would be. Lily appeared soon enough and with her was Emilia Granger. Hermione searched her mother's face for a sign but Emilia Granger had always been very good at hiding her feelings.

'Mum,' Hermione said gingerly, 'thank you so much for coming.'

'I take it nothing I say will change your mind then?' her mother said. Hermione's heart leapt into her throat. She's not happy about this. She's going to try and stop it.

'It's not that Mum,' she said gingerly. 'I have to do this, I love Harry and only God knows how long we will actually have together. I don't want to lose him. I want to be with him. I want to be his wife.'

'It's just that we don't know Harry that well Hermione,' her mother said. 'We only know him through what you've told us, excepting that one time last year when we met him. I must admit he is good looking.' Her mother seemed to pause for breath here. 'You seem to love and trust him and I do trust your judgement Hermione. Do you love him?' Hermione nodded. 'Then you have our blessing.' Hermione was ecstatic at the sudden turn around, but realised that her mother was just voicing her concerns. 'Harry wrote and asked for our permission before he proposed you know. That made a fantastic impression on both your father and I. Just promise me you'll come home more often.' Hermione winched. 'Now can you please introduce me to everyone in this room.' She gave Hermione a big smile which helped her relax slightly.

'Well this is Chrystal, you met her last year, this is Ginny, she's Ron's sister,' Hermione turned to Lily and Rose. She hadn't told her mother anything about what had been happening. What would she say about Rose and Lily's relationship? A thought came to her. 'This is Rose, she's Ron's girlfriend and this is Lily, Rose's mother.'

'Hermione Granger,' her mother said. 'You may be eighteen but I can still tell when you're holding something back.'

'I think perhaps you'd better tell your mother what's going on Hermione,' Chrystal said. 'I know you wanted to protect them, but you can't hide the truth forever. And it is better that they hear it from you. Why don't we all come back a little later?'

'Protect me?' Emilia asked as everyone left the room.

'The truth is Mum, my life is in danger,' Hermione said. 'So is Harry's. We've been in hiding for the last few months.' Hermione watched her mother's jaw drop as she explained exactly what was happening in the wizarding world at the present time and exactly why she was being targeted. And as she did, Hermione felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders. When she had done Emilia Granger said nothing but helped her daughter prepare for her wedding.

*~*

Lavender gazed in her mirror trying to perfect her fair hair. Although she was not happy about Harry marrying Hermione she was still going to be present at his wedding. And she was going to look stunning too. She had to look stunning because she was nervous about seeing Parvati and Seamus. She hadn't really given Seamus a proper explanation as to why she broke up with him, her letter had only said that her father had died and she needed some space. She knew it wasn't adequate, he deserved a better explanation but besides I'm in love with someone else and you don't want to get involved with me because I'm cursed with the ability of seeing the future she couldn't think of a true explanation that actually would satisfy him.

There, she thought as she pushed the last pin in, her hair was perfect. She slowly walked down to the entrance hall where she spied Parvati with her perfect dark locks and her tight fitting dress robes. She had missed her friend. She walked toward her and embraced her.

'Lavender darling you look gorgeous,' Parvati said. 'But I don't understand how someone can change so much. You look stunning but you look withdrawn.'

'You look good yourself Parvati,' Lavender said. You coy little princess. She had no intention of playing nice with Parvati. She knew she could be a backstabbing bitch whenever she wanted. 'We should head up to the hall. Everyone should have arrived by now.'

'How can you stand still being here?' Parvati asked as they made their way up the staircase. Lavender shuddered. It was going to be a long night.

*~*

Harry was guided to a room which he did not find very familiar at all. It's strange how you can live somewhere for so long and still not be very familiar with every nook and cranny. James opened the door to reveal the room especially set up for their wedding. It looked fantastic; Harry was expecting it to be nice, given that Mrs Weasley had had a big hand in the preparations, but this was spectacular. What he also wasn't expecting to see were all his classmates from his year at school, the Gryffindor Quidditch team both past and present and the entire Weasley clan there. He turned around and additionally jumped when he saw Snape there with McGonagall and Vector. He should have assumed Snape was there for his protection but it did make him a bit nervous. No one seemed to blink when they saw James.

'But won't they see you?' Harry asked whispering.

James laughed.

'Those that know I'm alive can,' he said. 'The others cannot. Charms are a wonderful thing.'

Harry took a deep breath. He certainly was nervous. He had made jokes about nerves to Sirius at his wedding but he had no idea just how spot on he had been. His father tried to offer advice earlier; however Harry struggled to put that advice into practice. He began to pace up and down, despite the friendly face of Lupin smiling at him. Everything seemed so surreal. He was hiding, he was eighteen, he was about to marry the love of his life and they were going to have children. If someone had told him all this, as well as the fact he was a wizard eight years ago he would have laughed at them. But the hard lessons learnt during his Hogwarts years had taught him to expect the unexpected. All these people he knew from school were coming up and congratulating him. It was all a bit overwhelming really. Then he remembered. He was here because he was going to marry Hermione. She was one of the best things that had ever happened to him, there was nothing to be nervous about. He took a slow deep breath and tried to relax.

Harry heard a door open and knew it must be Hermione. He knew she would be accompanied by Rose, Chrystal and Lily. He watched as Chrystal was the first to make her way between the two rows of chairs. He paid little attention to her, to Rose or his mother as they headed towards him, he had eyes only for one person and that was his Hermione.

Harry had never seen her looking so beautiful dressed in white with a large bunch of tulips in her hands. He had to stop the tears from welling in his eyes as he saw her. I still can't believe she loves me. He managed to hold out until he saw the tears in hers as her father handed her arm over to Harry. He gazed into her sparkling eyes as Lupin joined them together. Harry meant every word he pledged.

'....You are my heart and my soul, Hermione. I would give my life for you. I was lost before I found you but now you have completed me...'

'....It took me so long to realise that I love you Harry, but now that I have I don't ever want to let that go. I am not only marrying my love, I am marrying my best friend.....'

When they were done pledging their lives together Ron handed Harry the two rings. Harry smiled when he saw that they were exactly the way he'd drawn them, Hermione gave him that cute little smile of hers that she gave when she was happy as he placed hers on her finger. He then lifted her veil over her face, wiped the tears from her eyes and kissed her like he'd never kissed her before.

'You're mine now Mrs Potter,' he whispered in her ear.

'Mrs Potter?' she asked. 'I kind of like the sound of that.'

The celebrations began immediately following the bridal kiss. Dumbledore clicked his fingers together and almost immediately the room was transformed into that of a royal banquet. Everyone sat down and tucked into the banquet that was reminiscent of the feasts held at Hogwarts when there was no threat on the school and its students. Everyone in the room felt young again, as they watched the love that flowed between the newly married couple. They kept the speeches to a minimum, a few words from Ron, Sirius and Hermione's father before they took to the dance floor for their first dance. Hermione was desperately tried all week to teach Harry how to waltz and it had kind of paid off. He only stepped on her toes about four times during the waltz.

The rest of the night was fantastic for Harry. It gave him a chance not only to catch up with many friends however he had also been given an opportunity to demonstrate his love for Hermione in such a beautiful setting. Harry himself was not normally a romantic, but the way Hermione looked that night could have turned him into one very quickly. By the end of the night it had passed in a blur that Harry was almost disappointed it was over.

When the time came for them to leave Harry carried his bride up to their new quarters that Lily had found for them at Hogwarts. Lily recast the Fidelius when they reached the room and Harry was certainly sure that they wouldn't be disturbed. He lay her down on the bed.

'How about we work on making that baby?' he whispered.

*~*

Terri returned from her holiday.

It had not really been a holiday, it had been a life-saving week isolated from anything that made her think too hard. She had spent the entire time tyring to get the images of her trip to the Isles out of her head. It was almost impossible but over time she had managed to push them away. They were still there; she knew that they'd never completely disappear. She certainly knew she couldn't face seeing them again nor even trying to describe them.

She walked into the stables where she knew Alec would be at this time of day. He smiled as he saw her and walked over to greet her.

'You look much better,' he said. 'Holiday's done you good. You'll be right for the Loch Lomond races then?'

Terri pulled the omnioculars out of her pocket.

'Here is what I saw,' she said. 'I don't want to see these images again. I don't want to talk about it. You can watch it if you'd like or send it to your contact, but I don't want any mention of it again. I'll be here tomorrow morning, but for now I'm going to Hogsmeade for a couple of drinks with friends from Hogwarts.' She left the stables planning to get very drunk that night.

Alec watched as she disapparated. He couldn't help but look at the images on the omnioculars. Terri's willingness to distance herself from them had sparked some interest. After he had though, he immediately regretted it. He placed the omnioculars straight into a package and sent them with Leigh's letter. He knew that Sirius should view them as soon as was possible. The operatives were going to have their work cut out for them. His gut wrenched as he thought of the images. Despite the way Terri had looked, he shouldn't have delayed. He had thought that she was just exhausted. He had assumed that if she had seen anything worthwhile she would have said something. Now he understood why she hadn't said anything. That mistake was going to be costly. And if someone died because of his lack of forethought he knew he would never get it off his conscience.