All the guests were invited, the older children were coming home for the party, and all of their friends and family would attend this renewal of vows.
Hermione was not nervous, just excited that she would get to see the new grandchild. Viktor was as excited as Hermione, but was not going to let her know.
He had other surprises in store for his wife. One of her longest held wishes was to finish the honeymoon trip cut short all those years before. Viktor had made reservations on the premier cruise line for the Wizarding world. The interrupted honeymoon would finally be completed in magnificent style.
Everyone had gathered at the house for the reunion dinner the night before the second bonding ceremony. The Weasleys, all except Ron, had come to Bulgaria two days before. The Potters and Longbottoms had arrived yesterday. The Scamanders, Shacklebolts, and Lupins had arrived three hours ago.
There was much talking going on, the older children showing off their offspring and the younger children creating mayhem as they discovered new friends and shared interests.
All the fun was about to change.
Flashes from a camera startled everyone. The strident, much hated voice of Rita Skeeter rang out into the sudden silence. "Well, Ronald, it certainly looks like you were correct! There is something havey-cavey going on here."
A very drunken and dishevelled Ron Weasley staggered in behind Rita. "See, Rita, they're going to renew their vows. But she was supposed to be mine. It should be me. Tell 'em. Make him give her back!"
Stunned, everyone gaped at the spectacle of the malicious reporter and her pathetic accomplice trying to ruin the party.
Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped forward and addressed both Rita and Ron. "You are not welcome here, either of you. Do you have travel permits to be in Bulgaria? I didn't think so. You'll have to appeal your oversight to the Bulgarian Minister. He just happens to be here. Come on over, Viktor, these two are here illegally. Shall I call the Aurors?"
Viktor chuckled as he answered Kingsley, "Ne, I think the security force can handle these two. Teddy, can you see to removing the canaille for the property. Take your teammates with you, if these two prove problematical. Oh, and these two are banned from returning to Bulgaria henceforth."
Teddy Lupin, James Sirius Potter, August Longbottom, Valentin Krum, Little Charlie Weasley, Scorpius Malfoy, and Nelson Shacklebolt advanced on the hapless reporter and the sodden Ron Weasley to remove them from the house.
When they returned a few minutes later, Valentin approached his parents to say, "We destroyed the pictures and sent them back, accompanied with a note that travel without a permit is highly frowned on these days. I hinted that perhaps they might be terrorists. I do not think they will ever be bothering us again."
Viktor just chuckled at his eldest son in answer.
Hermione looked at her husband and remarked, "Only you would send the European Quidditch All Star team to take care of party crashers. Nevertheless, I am glad you did. Ron looked awful and Rita is just as obnoxious as she ever was. I love you, Gospodin Minister of Magic Krum."
Viktor looked down at his pretty, curly-haired wife and asked, "Do you think I would let down our three hundred guests because of a beetle and a flea? No, let them go bother someone else. We have the next twenty-five years to plan together, Madam Krum. Let the party resume. No one is going to spoil this anniversary. Obicham te, Hermione. Obicham te."
Finis
***