Band of Gypsies

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ron, Hermione and Harry stood in Hagrid's hut. The door was open to allow in the spring air and the smell of blossoms. They could hear Hagrid outside singing. It sounded like the worst caterwauling anyone of them had ever heard. Harry grinned and Ron and Hermione were grinning back.

"Do you think it would hurt his feelings if we asked him to stop?" Ron asked.

Harry nodded. "It's alright, let him be."

Hagrid had been bursting with joy since Harry had walked down to his hut one evening, shortly before school ended, and told him his identity.

"Oh Harry I'm so nervous. Aren't you?" Hermione kept peeping out through the door waiting. "I can't believe this, I just can't!"

Harry shook his head. She'd said the same thing at least a thousand times since he had told them his plan. He was once again dressed in his gypsy clothing and they in their summer clothes; Hermione in a very pretty lilac summer dress with a butter-yellow cloak. Her hair was done up in flowers and Ron kept looking at her, blushing each time. He looked shy and nervous, too. His father had made him dress in his best dress robes and he'd even combed his hair.

Harry grinned at him "You scared?"

Ron rolled his eyes and then smiled back. "Yeh, well I'm not the one getting married am I, mate?

"Oh, oh they're here, Harry! They're here." Hermione grabbed his arm and was dancing.

Harry swallowed and led the way out into the sunshine. The wagon pulled up, drawn by two sorrel horses with Jolie driving just as Dumbledore and Lupin walked down the hill. Hagrid stood by a garden arbor he had built out of twigs and entwined flowers. Hermione had persuaded him to not wear his favorite but horrible dress suit. For the first time in Harry's memories, he wore a wizard's cloak of forest green.

Harry stood waiting as Dumbledore and his friends gathered around him. In the grass of the meadow near the hut the table was set for a celebration. Two house elves stood by very quietly, one's ears, however, wiggled uncontrollably. Harry smiled at Dobby and Winky.

Jolie stepped down and went to the end of the wagon and helped Katlana step down. She was dressed in her best clothes and barefooted. She walked over and kissed Harry on both cheeks. "My son," she said.

They stood waiting in the sun with only the sound of insects breaking the silence. Dumbledore stood, hands folded looking out towards the lake and humming something to himself. Lupin stood beside him wearing a light gray, new suit and robes. His hair of silver and brown was shining like a halo around his face. He smiled at Harry and folded his hands behind his back.

Harry watched the castle. You'd better come, you pain-in-the-neck..., he thought. Then, he saw him. The man walked slowly towards them, dressed in immaculate robes of dark blue with a gold watch chain suspended from the pockets of his vest. His hair was trimmed and clean.

Snape walked up and stopped, surveyed the group and then nodded.

"It's time Jolie," Harry said in Romani.

Nadya stepped from the back of the wagon. Her eye lashes fluttered over downcast eyes. The gold of her necklace and earrings shone in the sunlight against the obsidian black hair and her cheeks flushed pink as she looked up at him. Harry walked to her and took her hand and turned to the group.

"This is Nadya Vloyski," he said, feeling like he would burst from the seams with pride and happiness.

Jolie pulled out his violin and began to play a light tune while other wagons began to pull in. They were soon surrounded by twenty family wagons pulled into a circle around the couple. Other musicians began playing and singing.

The short ceremony was held under the arbor. Harry and Nadya stepped over the broom and kissed.

Harry watched as people danced and drank wine. Ron and Hermione were pulled into the circle to dance, their arms around each others waist and around others dancing in the circle. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. His bride stood beside him, their hands clasped together. Harry thought that he had never felt as happy as he did at that moment.

Harry noticed a figure in the background moving away from the crowd. "Nadya, I will be back," he whispered to her and watched her whirled away by Jolie. He hurried to catch up to the figure.

"Professor," Harry said.

Snape stopped and turned to him.

"Thank you for coming to my wedding," Harry said.

Snape nodded.

"I don't think that we can ever be friends Professor, but I think my mother would have liked for you to be here. From what I could tell she thought of you as a friend," Harry said. "And...and anyone she cared about, well...I know I can trust."

Snape looked over at the partiers and then at Harry without speaking.

"Never mind then!" Harry growled and turned to go.

"Mr. Potter," Snape said.

Harry turned back. He saw the play of raw emotions on the man's face, something he never expected to ever see.

"Your mother was a friend and I would have gladly given my life for her," Snape said. He continued, "My concern is that we are once again in dangerous times. Your wife is a beautiful girl with many years ahead of her."

"Are you saying I'm putting her at risk?" Harry asked quietly, feeling the anger rise. "Is that what you're saying?"

Snape looked at him sternly, "We are all at risk, and you misunderstand. Try not to jump to conclusions Mr. Potter." The old 'teacher' voice was back.

"So what are you saying then?" Harry hissed, "AND FOR JUST ONE MINUTE WOULD YOU STOP CALLING ME MR. POTTER!"

"Alright then... Harry," the man continued quietly, "I understand why you're marrying so early in your life. And maybe this is your only chance to have any happiness- or the only happiness you've ever had- whatever, I hope you can have it- for a long time. I hope you can keep her safe and yourself safe... because if you can't, it will feel like someone has ripped your still-beating heart from your chest." He stopped, his voice strangled with emotion. Then slowly, he regained his composure, and said, "The world can be a lonely and uninviting place."

Snape seemed to realize how and who he was exposing his emotions to. Harry could see his back stiffen and his face grow grim. "I'm saying that if you need my help, you can ask for it."

A warm soft hand slid into his and Harry turned to see Nadya come up to them. She sparkled like a gem. "What is it Harry, what is the matter?" she asked looking at his face.

"Nadya, this is Professor Snape," Harry said in Romani.

Nadya nodded, awareness coming into her eyes. She walked over, stood on her toes and pulled Snape gently by the front of his robes until his head was bent. "This for my Harry, for his life that you save." She said in English and kissed him on each cheek and then lightly on the lips. She turned to Harry to translate, tell him-"You are welcome in the camp of my people."

Harry smiled, "She says, that you are family and always welcome in our camp." Then he broke into a grin, "You're now officially our Uncle, Professor Snape."

Snape stood up slowly, bowed quickly to Nadya and did a perfect spin on his heel. "I will see you in the Fall, Potter." He said loudly over his shoulder as he headed back to the castle, "You'll have some catching up to do in my class. You're an abysmally poor Potions student."

"Latcho Drom, Professor," Harry called after him. "See you in the Fall."